Developments to services for vulnerable people in Wolverhampton have been highlighted in the adult social care Local Account for 2013 to 2014, which was published this week.

The Local Account highlights how adult social care services performed in 2013 to 2014. It details successes, challenges and priorities for the coming year.

It shows that Wolverhampton City Council spent £82.7million - nearly a third of its net budget - on social care services for adults in 2013 to 2014.

They include help and support for older residents and people with disabilities or mental health needs, as well as housing support services and the provision of equipment and adaptations to enable people to remain in their own homes for longer.

The Local Account shows that in 2013 to 2014, nearly 6,000 individuals received adult social care or carer support services and that:

  • more people with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties were helped to move into independent or supported living
  • 3 more dementia cafes were established across the city, giving families support, information and advice on all aspects of living with dementia, or caring for someone with dementia
  • more than 3,150 vulnerable people were helped to continue living independently in their own homes, with the number of people receiving Telecare assistive technology continuing to rise
  • the Adult Social Care Information Portal, a web based directory of all adult social care services, information, advice and guidance, was launched
  • 253 businesses across the city are now engaged in the 'Safe Places' scheme, enabling adults with a learning disability to quickly identify a place of safety by means of a red telephone poster in the windows of shops or in the public areas of buildings.

Councillor Steve Evans, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "We are committed to ensuring our services are more personalised, preventative and focused on delivering the best results for those who use them.

"I am pleased at the improvements we are continuing to make to social care services in Wolverhampton highlighted in the Local Account, particularly the further expansion of the Safe Places scheme in the city and the development of more dementia cafes to provide help and support to our growing elderly population.

"2013 to 2014 was a tough year, with the council having to make some very difficult decisions because of the unprecedented financial challenge we face.

"This, together with the introduction of the Care Act 2014 later this year, will require further innovation in how services are delivered in future but I am confident that the work we've done already will mean that vulnerable people in Wolverhampton continue to be able to access the social care support they need, when they need it."

  • released: Tuesday 6 January, 2015