Planning4care Release 1.3 update

7th November, 2008

We’ve just updated the Planning4care web-tool, with a number of new features and updated datasets. Key changes include:

• Revised data, including the most recent ONS sub-national population projections (see the full list of data sources);
• A new feature allowing users to provide their preferred population projections for use in the tool, instead of the ONS projections (we have already loaded the GLA London projections, and can add others on request);
• Our analysis of dementia levels is now based on the Dementia UK 2007 study, as the currently most widely adopted set of prevalence rates by age and gender. We’ve also included estimates of the numbers with severe combined cognitive and functional impairment, from the prevalence rates given in recent PSSRU research. These are included as a subset of the "very high needs group" and replace the previous estimates of those with "critical interval" level of dementia.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be adding in additional planning scenarios to the web-tool. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Planning4care team with any queries on the data, methodology or system

Councils "unprepared" for England's ageing population

22nd July, 2008

The Audit Commission's new report, "Don't stop me now - Preparing for an ageing population", published 17 July, has found that councils in England, particularly those which have the fastest ageing populations, are not ready to meet the challenges or grasp opportunities as we get older. The report looks at the challenges and opportunities facing England as its population gets older. It aims to help local public services adapt to the needs of an older and more diverse society, and identifies solutions that can be implemented quickly, as well as exploring how councils should plan strategically for the wider challenges ahead.

Michael O'Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission, said:

"..it's worrying that the councils in areas with the most over 50s are the least prepared to cope with their long-term needs and interests. Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV. As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent, need to be a little more imaginative. There will be different opportunities in different areas, but there has already been innovative action from some forward-thinking councils."

The report says government should show clearer national leadership and work with councils to provide guidance and evaluate progress. Councils can prepare for an ageing population by making better use of information, reviewing demographic profiles and using local knowledge to target money and services effectively. They should also improve evaluation by testing local satisfaction and experience to assess age-proofing of services.

View the report at: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/NATIONAL-REPORT/ 99263764-7E72-48C6-89D1-8A6DC018FD1B/DontStopMeNow17July08REP.pdf

Planning4care and POPPI briefing

Monday 21st July

This briefing note outlines differences between the Planning4care and Projecting Older People Population Information (POPPI) tools, and highlights the importance of using estimates of local prevalence. The briefing note is available at: http://www.planning4care.org.uk/resources/Planning4care and POPPI.pdf

Dealing with the social care funding crisis: consultation is launched

Wednesday 28th May

Gordon Brown's speech at the Kinds Fund in May launched a six-month consultation on reforming the current care and support system - which will lead to a Green Paper early next year. Discussions will draw on the need for independence, choice and control; funding issues and the aim to create better collaboration between health and social care. You can view our summary article here: www.planning4care.org.uk/resources/Planning4care_SocialCareFundingConsultation.pdf

New version of Planning4care is launched

Tuesday 27th May

Version 1.2 of the Planning4care tool was launched in May 2008. The new version includes:

• Revised data from KIGS to update the publicly-funded costs and take-up rates used in the Planning4care model
• Access to informal care scenarios - all users can analyse projections based on varying levels of informal care
• A FAQ page has been added to the Help Page http://www.planning4care.org.uk/help/

Planning4care FAQ is now available

Tuesday 27th May

We have listened to your comments and questions about Planning4care. For example, many of you have asked us about the extra analysis Planning4care offers over other analysis tools such as the 'Projecting Older People Population Information System' (POPPI) or the 'Tool for Rapid Analysis of Care Services' (TRACS). We have now put all this and other often-asked questions, with their answers, into one place for all users to see. Whether you are registered or not you can view the Planning4care FAQ page at: www.planning4care.org.uk/help/.

CSIP case study of Planning4care available

Thursday 7th February

CSIP have produced a case study on Planning4care, highlighting how Planning4care "can provide vital analysis for the social care element of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), and supports joint working through providing a shared information base". The case study is available from http://www.planning4care.org.uk/resources/Planning4care_CSIP_CaseStudy.pdf.

Time to plan for whole populations - CSCI report highlights impacts of councils tightening eligibility criteria

Tuesday 29th January 2008

The latest report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) The State of Social Care in England 2006-07 highlights reductions in the numbers of older people receiving services at a time when the population of people over 75 is on the increase.

Part of the report focuses on self-funders (people who fund their own care) and people ineligible for council care, and the conclusion notes the increasingly sharp divide between those people who benefit from the formal system of social care and those who are outside it. People 'lost to the system' often struggle with fragile informal support and a poor quality of life, and those who fund their own care are disadvantaged, lacking advice and information about care options. Among the issues raised by the report is the importance of taking account of the needs of people signposted to other support and/or funding their own care as councils tackle strategic needs assessment for their whole populations.

Read the report at http://www.csci.org.uk/professional/default.aspx?page=7226&csci=2354

Planning4care strategic needs assessment report for older people's social care available now

Thursday 10th January 2008

Planning4care now offers local authorities/PCTs a standalone (printed and electronic) strategic needs assessment report for older people's social care, based on the standard outputs of the Planning4care analysis tool. This report would provide essential analysis for this aspect of your JSNA, would be available within one week of order, and does not require buy-in to the full web-based tool. An example report is available from http://www.planning4care.org.uk/example_report.pdf. Please contact the Planning4care team on 01273 201 316 or info@planning4care.org.uk if you want to discuss this further.

JSNA - the time has come!

Thursday 10th January 2008

The recent publication of Guidance on Joint Strategic Needs Assessment affirms that "needs assessment is an essential tool for commissioners to inform service planning and commissioning strategies", but there are no doubt many challenges in taking this task forward and using it creatively for developing the future of social care. Our commentary highlighting implications and issues for taking this agenda forward is available at http://www.planning4care.org.uk/resources/Planning4care_JSNA_Guidance_BriefingNote.pdf.

Announcement of new developments in social care - opportunity or challenge?

Thursday 13th December 2007

This week's surprise announcement of the universal introduction of personal budgets over 3 years from April 2008, set against the rapidly increasing population of older people and tightening eligibility for publicly funded care, puts new pressures on councils and their health partners to understand how many older people are going to need to be supported - however they are funded.

Questions that councils and their partners need increasingly urgently to consider include:

• How many older people currently require support (however provided) on a daily basis in order to cope with basic daily living?
• How might this be expected to increase over the next 3, 5, 10 years?
• How much is care need among older people affected by the particular socio-demographic characteristics of our local area?
• What are the likely requirements for carer support budgets?
• What market developments are needed to make sure that the right services are available for people to spend their personal budgets on?
• How many older people might benefit from preventive services ?

Policies and funding regimes may change, but the growing numbers of older people are here to stay! Getting to grips with Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is critical.

We have put together a short Planning4care briefing note on the DH Putting People First report, available from http://www.planning4care.org.uk/resources/DH_PuttingPeopleFirst_BriefingNote.pdf.

Planning4care at the Society Guardian conference Commissioning Care for Older People.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

Planning4care was represented with a stand at the Society Guardian Commissioning Care for Older People conference in London yesterday. The tool once again attracted considerable interest, including from several national provider organisations, with bespoke demonstrations running throughout the day.

Care services minister Ivan Lewis spoke of the challenge posed by demographic change, the recognition of dementia as an issue to be grappled with, and the increasing responsibility on carers. In terms of how to move forward, he focused on the importance of the now legal requirement for Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and emphasised the need for hard intelligence to support world class commissioning.

Launch of Planning4care

Wednesday 17th October 2007

This week saw the launch of Planning4care at the National Children's and Adult Social Services Conference in Bournemouth. The stand attracted considerable interest, with bespoke demonstrations of the tool provided to representatives from around 30 councils and PCTs and a range of other organisations.

Press release:

FORECASTING CARE NEEDS OF OLDER PEOPLE - LAUNCH OF NEW TOOL FOR STRATEGIC NEEDS ASSESSMENT

It's no secret that a growing elderly population is going to increase the pressure on social care services. But how many local authorities can accurately predict demand from over-65s for the next five, ten or even 25 years? Or how that would change if services were commissioned on an outcomes, rather than historical, basis? And how much might it all cost?

This conference sees the launch of Planning4care, an innovative and dynamic planning tool which can help provide the answers. Planning4care supports Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), long-term policy development and planning by providing essential local analysis of changing needs and the implications for future services and costs.

Planning4care

• Profiles and forecasts the older population locally by levels of care needs
• Takes account of local risk factors
• Maps areas of greatest need
• Projects future costs and service requirements
• Models changing scenarios

The tool has been developed by Care Equation Ltd and Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) in close collaboration with a local authority, and with support from the Department of Health/ Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP). The development has built on the national models for long term care projections used by the Wanless Review of Social Care, adapting these for local use.

Planning4care is available for demonstration throughout the conference. For a free presentation of how this development can benefit local authorities and their partners, please visit Stand T8 in the Exhibition Hall.