New UK social care comparison website launched

The Department of Health has announced the launch of a new website that allows people to find out more about care service quality across the UK.

Developed in association with the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the site uses Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework data to present clear visual information on how each local authority is performing on a number of key metrics.

Users can find out how carers and people receiving local authority-funded care and support in their area rate factors such as quality of life, satisfaction with care services and their overall feelings of safety and confidence.

The aim of this is to highlight councils that are doing particularly well, while holding other authorities to account if they fail to deliver good results from adult social care services.

Care and support minister Norman Lamb said: "We want everyone to get better care and I hope this website will help to drive improvement across all local authorities so that this is a reality."

The site is aimed at users of adult social care services, carers and the general public, patient representation groups, voluntary and community organisations and social care professionals.