Respite Care Scotland, 2015

Presents information on respite care services provided or purchased by Local Authorities in Scotland. Respite Care is a service intended to benefit a carer and the person he or she cares for by providing a short break from caring tasks.


3. Estimated real terms changes in respite provision, 2007/08 to 2014/15

When comparing respite provision over the past eight years, only changes in recorded levels of overnight care and daytime care are considered. This is because information on respite care provided through Direct Payments has only been available since 2012/13, and remains incomplete in terms of national coverage.

Local Authorities have been improving and refining their data collection methodologies since 2007/08. In the years where the methodology has been revised, two different sets of respite figures are presented:

  • a comparable figure based on the same methodology as the previous year
  • a figure based on the revised methodology, which is not comparable to previous years but comparable going forward

Using this approach has allowed Local Authorities to revise their methodologies, whilst still allowing for real terms changes in respite provision to be identified.

Diagram 1 shows how respite weeks data will be presented in this section of the Release. Over the period 2007/08 to 2014/15, there are five sets of comparable figures (denoted by superscript numbers 0-4), each associated with a defined set of national guidance. The comparable sets of figures can then be used to estimate the real terms differences year-on-year.

Diagram 1: Example tabular presentation of respite week figures

Greater care needs to be used if attempting to use the tabular format shown in Diagram 1 to estimate real terms changes over more than one year. Instead, charts such as Chart 1 may be used to visualize the estimated real terms changes in respite week provision across multiple years. Note that the vertical axes of these charts show the estimated cumulative real terms changes in respite weeks from 2007/08. A downward shift from one year to the next represents an estimated real terms decrease in respite weeks between those years, whereas a negative axis value represents an estimated real terms decrease from 2007/08.

The national guidance used to collect respite information from Local Authorities did not change between 2012/13 and 2014/15. As such, Authorities were asked to return 2014/15 information on the basis of a single set of guidance. However, in the explanatory notes supplied with the data returns 11 Authorities identified recording changes related to the roll-out of Self-Directed Support (SDS) and 8 identified specific improvements to their local recording systems over the past year (see Section 5.5 for further details). As a result, an additional degree of uncertainty is associated with making real terms comparisons of Scotland level respite provision between 2013/14 and 2014/15. The likely sense and potential magnitude of this uncertainty is considered in Section 5.5.

Only Scotland level analysis is presented in this section of the Release. Information on respite provision at the Local Authority level may be found in the Annexes. Additional care should be taken when interpreting year-to-year changes within this data, especially in the cases of the Authorities who have experienced known recording changes over the past year.

3.1. Respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of all age groups

The five different sets of comparable figures in Table 1 show an increase in combined overnight and daytime respite provision from 172,730 weeks in 2007/08 to 196,060 weeks in 2014/15. This is an apparent total increase of 23,330 weeks over this time period, of which it is estimated that 19,710 weeks are due to improved data recording and/or methodology changes and the remaining 3,620 weeks are due to a real terms increase in respite provision.

The number of daytime respite weeks provided in 2014/15 was 132,980, with 63,080 overnight weeks being provided. The balance of overnight to daytime care, with 68% being during the daytime, has remained around the same value since 2009/10, following an increase from 2007/08. This earlier increase is known to have been affected by methodology changes, as Local Authorities generally find it much harder to identify daytime respite.

Table 1: Overnight and daytime respite weeks provided in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

2007/080

2008/090

2008/091

2009/101

2009/102

2010/112

2010/113

2011/123

2012/133

2012/134

2013/144

2014/154

Overnight

62,750

62,800

62,730

64,110

64,290

64,650

64,900

66,570

65,880

65,760

65,030

63,080

Daytime

109,980

111,230

132,980

139,460

145,510

146,570

138,820

138,500

139,920

139,320

137,650

132,980

Total

172,730

174,030

195,710

203,570

209,800

211,210

203,730

205,070

205,800

205,080

202,690

196,060

% of respite (Daytime)

64%

64%

68%

69%

69%

69%

68%

68%

68%

68%

68%

68%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15

Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

At the year-to-year level, estimated respite provision increased in real terms for every year up to 2012/13 (including a relatively large increase in 2009/10), followed by estimated decreases over the past two years, as shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Estimated real terms change in respite weeks provided, 2007/08 to 2014/15

From

To

Change

% Change

2007/080

2008/090

1,300

0.8%

2008/091

2009/101

7,860

4.0%

2009/102

2010/112

1,410

0.7%

2010/113

2011/123

1,340

0.7%

2011/123

2012/133

730

0.4%

2012/134

2013/144

-2,390

-1.2%

2013/144

2014/154

-6,630

-3.3%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

Chart 6 shows that the estimated changes in total respite provision, including the relatively large increase in 2009/10, are mainly accounted for by the changes in daytime provision.

Chart 6: Estimated real terms changes in overnight and daytime respite weeks provided in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: Estimated real terms changes exclude the impact of changes to methodology between years.

17 out of 32 Local Authorities recorded decreases in their total overnight and daytime respite provision between 2013/14 and 2014/15, while 12 recorded increases, as shown in Chart 7. It is not possible to make this comparison for the Orkney Islands and Perth & Kinross (2014/15 data not comparable with 2013/14), and no data was submitted by East Renfrewshire. Dundee City and Scottish Borders were the only Authorities to record an increase of over 10%, while Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire and Glasgow City recorded a decrease of more than 10%.

Chart 7: Percentage change in respite weeks provided between 2013/14 and 2014/15, by Local Authority

Source: Scottish Government 2014/15
East Renfrewshire, Orkney and Perth & Kinross not included due to data issues.

The largest recorded decrease in both respite weeks and percentage was that for Glasgow City, at 3,930 weeks and 24.7%. While there are some operational reasons for this - the introduction a maximum number of respite nights per service user for older people, for example - the main reason for the reduction in recorded provision is the continued roll-out of Self-Directed Support, as Glasgow City is unable to report on respite provided through SDS.

3.2. Respite weeks provided for the benefit of the carers of young people (aged 0-17)

The five different sets of comparable figures in Table 3 show an estimated decrease in respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of young people (aged 0-17) from 23,950 weeks in 2007/08 to 20,680 in 2014/15. This apparent total decrease of 3,270 weeks can be broken down into an estimated 850 weeks due to improved data recording and/or methodology changes and 2,420 weeks real terms decrease in respite provision. The population aged 0-17 has decreased by 1.9% over this period.

The proportion of care delivered in the daytime in 2014/15 was unchanged from 2013/14 at 67%.

Table 3: Overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of young people (aged 0-17) in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

2007/080

2008/090

2008/091

2009/101

2009/102

2010/112

2010/113

2011/123

2012/133

2012/134

2013/144

2014/154

Overnight

7,850

8,000

8,050

8,200

8,200

7,470

7,450

7,670

7,470

7,760

7,320

6,900

Daytime

16,100

14,830

14,720

15,880

16,140

16,570

15,390

15,300

16,440

16,300

14,750

13,780

Total

23,950

22,830

22,770

24,080

24,340

24,040

22,830

22,970

23,900

24,060

22,060

20,680

% of respite (Daytime)

67%

65%

65%

66%

66%

69%

67%

67%

69%

68%

67%

67%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

The relatively large year-to-year changes associated with this cared-for age group shown in Table 4 arise, at least in part, because it contains smaller numbers of clients with larger care packages than the adult cared-for age groupings. As a result, a small number of young people moving out of this age group and into adult services can lead to relatively large changes to recorded provision.

Table 4: Estimated real terms change in respite weeks provided to carers of young people (aged 0-17), 2007/08 to 2014/15

From

To

Change

% Change

2007/080

2008/090

-1,120

-4.7%

2008/091

2009/101

1,310

5.8%

2009/102

2010/112

-300

-1.2%

2010/113

2011/123

140

0.6%

2011/123

2012/133

930

4.0%

2012/134

2013/144

-2,000

-8.3%

2013/144

2014/154

-1,380

-6.3%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

Chart 8, which uses the same scale as Chart 6, shows that changes in respite provision for carers of young people aged up to 17 is a relatively small component of total respite provision.

Chart 8: Estimated real terms changes in overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of young people (aged 0 to 17) in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: Estimated real terms changes exclude the impact of changes to methodology between years.

3.3. Respite weeks provided for the benefit of the carers of adults aged 18-64

The five different sets of comparable figures in Table 5 show an estimated increase in respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of adults aged 18-64 from 59,050 weeks in 2007/08 to 69,280 in 2014/15. This apparent total increase of 10,230 weeks can be broken down into an estimated increase of 11,900 weeks due to improved data recording and/or methodology changes and an estimated real terms decrease of 1,670 weeks in respite provision. The population aged 18-64 has increased by 2.3% over this period.

This cared-for age group has the highest proportion of respite that is provided during daytime, at between 74% and 76% since 2009/10. This proportion has increased since 2007/08 due to methodology changes, as Local Authorities generally find it much harder to identify daytime respite.

Table 5: Overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of adults aged 18-64 in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

2007/080

2008/090

2008/091

2009/101

2009/102

2010/112

2010/113

2011/123

2012/133

2012/134

2013/144

2014/154

Overnight

18,030

18,760

18,690

20,180

20,300

19,550

19,850

19,790

18,090

17,750

16,970

16,990

Daytime

41,020

39,700

50,380

53,620

56,650

58,090

57,790

56,920

57,080

55,560

55,160

52,290

Total

59,050

58,460

69,070

73,790

76,950

77,640

77,640

76,710

75,170

73,300

72,130

69,280

% of respite (Daytime)

69%

68%

73%

73%

74%

75%

74%

74%

76%

76%

76%

75%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

After a large real terms increase in 2009/10, the estimated real terms number of respite weeks provided to carers of adults aged 18 to 64 has fallen in each of the last four years, as shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Estimated real terms change in respite weeks provided to carers of adults aged 18-64, 2007/08 to 2014/15

From

To

Change

% Change

2007/080

2008/090

-590

-1.0%

2008/091

2009/101

4,720

6.8%

2009/102

2010/112

690

0.9%

2010/113

2011/123

-930

-1.2%

2011/123

2012/133

-1,540

-2.0%

2012/134

2013/144

-1,170

-1.6%

2013/144

2014/154

-2,850

-4.0%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

Chart 9 shows that the reduction in respite weeks provided in 2014/15 was due to a reduction in daytime respite. This is a change from the previous two years, where there was little change in daytime respite provision, but provision of overnight respite decreased.

Chart 9: Estimated real terms changes in overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of adults aged 18 to 64 in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: Estimated real terms changes exclude the impact of changes to methodology between years.

3.4. Respite weeks provided for the benefit of the carers of older people (aged 65 and over)

The five different sets of comparable figures in Table 7 show an estimated increase in respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of adults aged 65 and over from 89,730 weeks in 2007/08 to 106,090 in 2014/15. This apparent total increase of 16,360 weeks can be broken down into an estimated increase of 8,650 weeks due to improved data recording and/or methodology changes and 7,710 weeks real terms increase in respite provision. The population aged 65 and over has increased by 14.5% between 2007/08 and 2014/15.

This cared-for age group has the lowest proportion of respite provided during daytime, at 62%-63% between 2011/12 and 2014/15.

Table 7: Overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of older people (aged 65 and over) in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

2007/080

2008/090

2008/091

2009/101

2009/102

2010/112

2010/113

2011/123

2012/133

2012/134

2013/144

2014/154

Overnight

36,870

36,040

35,990

35,740

35,790

37,620

37,610

39,120

40,330

40,250

40,740

39,190

Daytime

52,860

56,700

67,880

69,960

72,720

71,910

65,640

66,270

66,410

67,470

67,750

66,900

Total

89,730

92,740

103,870

105,700

108,510

109,530

103,250

105,390

106,730

107,720

108,490

106,090

% of respite (Daytime)

59%

61%

65%

66%

67%

66%

64%

63%

62%

63%

62%

63%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

There has been an estimated decrease in respite provision in 2014/15 for the benefit of carers of people aged 65 and over, as shown in Table 8, following six consecutive years of estimated real terms increases.

Table 8: Estimated real terms change in respite weeks provided to carers of older people, 2007/08 to 2014/15

From

To

Change

% Change

2007/080

2008/090

3,010

3.4%

2008/091

2009/101

1,830

1.8%

2009/102

2010/112

1,020

0.9%

2010/113

2011/123

2,140

2.1%

2011/123

2012/133

1,340

1.3%

2012/134

2013/144

770

0.7%

2013/144

2014/154

-2,400

-2.2%

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: All respite weeks figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

Chart 10 shows the real terms change in overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of older people since 2007/08. This chart is on the same scale as Chart 6, and shows that the changes estimated for this cared-for age group account for a large part of the total increases seen between 2008/09 and 2012/13.

Chart 10: Estimated real terms changes in overnight and daytime respite weeks provided for the benefit of carers of older people (aged 65 and over) in Scotland, 2007/08 to 2014/15

Source: Audit Scotland SPI data 2007/08-2008/09, Scottish Government 2009/10-2014/15
Note: Estimated real terms changes exclude the impact of changes to methodology between years.

Contact

Email: Steven Gillespie

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