People's experiences of using Adult Social Care
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Healthwatch Sheffield worked with Sheffield's Health and Wellbeing Board to gather feedback from people using adult social care services, carers, families, providers and commissioners. The event identified six key priorities: more choice, better information, greater consideration of individual needs, support at times that suit people, more help to get out and about, and higher quality care. Across all discussions, participants emphasised the importance of person-centred care and genuine involvement in decision-making.
A major concern was the lack of choice within domiciliary care services, particularly because commissioning arrangements often limited people to providers operating within specific geographical areas. Participants also reported difficulties accessing clear information about assessments, eligibility, funding and complaints processes. Many stressed that information should be available in multiple formats, not just online, and should be easier to understand and access.
People described experiences of rushed care visits, inflexible schedules and support that did not always reflect their individual routines or preferences. Participants also highlighted barriers to independence and social inclusion, including transport difficulties, limited accessibility, lack of suitable facilities and insufficient support to participate in community activities. Concerns were raised about workforce pressures, staff training, continuity of care and the impact of funding constraints on service quality.
Healthwatch concluded that adult social care services needed to become more personalised, flexible, transparent and responsive. Recommendations included reviewing domiciliary care commissioning arrangements, improving information and assessment processes, increasing minimum care visit lengths, strengthening quality monitoring and improving support for people to remain active in their communities. Sheffield City Council broadly accepted the findings and committed to addressing many of the issues raised.