ABOUT one-third of Barnsley ‘s adult social care service users aged between 18 and 64 said they ‘don’t feel safe’, new data has revealed.
In data collected in an NHS survey, service users were asked how safe they feel both inside and outside the home – including fear of abuse, falling or other physical harm.
The recently-published data from NHS Digital revealed that 33 per cent of service users – aged between 18 and 64 – in Barnsley said they didn’t feel safe, while 23.6 per cent aged 65 and over said they felt unsafe.
The data observes different surveys taken across different aspects of care which is funded by local authorities.
Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesperson for adults and communities, said: “Feelings of safety are personal to each individual and can be influenced by various personal circumstances.
“Across health, care and community services, we continue to do whatever we can to support people to feel safer.
“Our continuous work through Age Friendly Barnsley, delivery of a range of wellbeing events that take place across our communities, including the ‘Sloppy Slippers’ initiative, our work on falls prevention and the introduction of neighbourhood wardens are just a few actions we are taking to support people to feel safer.
“We encourage people to report any concerns that they might have so that they can be looked into and resolved.”
Care providers in the borough will be invited to help the council develop a Health and Social Care Academy that will improve staff recruitment and retention.
Wendy Lowder, executive director for adult social care and communities, added: “It’s so important to us that when people need care and support that they have access to the best that Barnsley can provide.
“We know there are real challenges trying to recruit to roles across the sector currently, and we want to work with provides to find ways to solve these problems.”
