CareCubed Data Version 19 Released

CareCubed, the only national cost of care toolkit, has updated its data model to version 19.

The update was released on the 30^th September 2024, and updates key metrics which underpin the benchmarks for determining accurate care costs for Adult, Children and Elderly Persons services.

Alongside the date update, several function updates have also been included.

Data:

• Non-staff costs updated in line with inflation
  • Food + 0.7%
  • Social activities – 6.2%
  • Transport + 2.6 %
  • Utilities + 30% (being re-baselined)
  • Phone and broadband +5.5%
  • Insurance +2.1%
  • Recruitment costs and staff training +2.2%
• Children’s specific costs update in line with relevant CPIH cost lines
• Property prices updated in line with Land Registry/Registers of Scotland data
• Local housing allowance data introduced using latest rates as determined by the Department for Work & Pensions
• Hourly rates HAVE NOT been updated for version 19:
  • Predictions for changes to hourly rates are usually validated in the interim update, this time we had predicted them accurately so there was no need for changes

Functional updates:

• Changes to CareCubed for Child Services:
  • Language changes
  • Added support needs
  • New type of registration of home
• Updates to templates functionality
• New address book layout
• Adjustments to pie chart functionality
• New council tax data source
• Express case for adults
• Inclusion of Welsh health boards to list of NHS health trusts and ICBs
• Option to exclude archived cases from exports
• Defaulting to the new interface for new users.

Lydia Wootton, Product Owner at CareCubed commented on the new release:

“Our goal for this interim update to the CareCubed data model was not only to ensure the costs within the data model are reflective of the current market, but also to bring about important enhancements to the functionality of CareCubed.

The most significant change in this update is the rework of the template functionality. We believe these enhancements will save users valuable time and promote a consistent approach to using CareCubed, which will ultimately improve reporting.

This update ensures that both providers and local authorities have access to the most up-to-date data. This is crucial to help providers recover their costs effectively while enabling local authorities to achieve value for money, with a clear understanding of the current cost landscape.

This update is important because it strengthens both the accuracy and usability of CareCubed, ensuring the platform remains a reliable tool for decision-making. By reflecting the latest market conditions, incorporating more granular data, and streamlining functionality, we hope users will gain greater confidence in using CareCubed, ultimately leading to more informed discussions and equitable outcomes in care delivery.”

The CareCubed team advise users to login to CareCubed and check their accounts.