New team helps cut adult social care waiting times

The creation of a new adult social care team has helped to reduce waiting times for people seeking in Wolverhampton, the council has said.

City of Wolverhampton Council recently established the front door team as part of its programme to transform adult social care in the area.

It acts as a first point of for vulnerable adults who need directing to what is available, and the authority said it had helped to simplify the process for residents.

According to the council, it has helped to cut the time it takes for people to get from months to fewer than five days in most cases.

The number of people needing help from social workers has also reduced by half due to the front door team being able to resolve their issues.

The authority's transformation programme, which includes providing more community-based services outside of care homes, came amid rising demand for adult social care in the city, with an increase of 31% over the last five years.

Its budget for care packages has also increased by £44.6m in that time, with a further £1m approved for 2025 to 2026.

Councillor Paula Brookfield, the council's cabinet member for adults, said adult social care was a "top priority" for people in Wolverhampton.

"We are determined to ensure adult social care services are the best they can possibly be, but we must also be mindful that the increase in costs which we have seen in recent years is not sustainable in the long term," she said.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.