ST-Max is a time limited period of short term support intended to maximise the independence of clients and reduce, or prevent, longer-term reliance on social care. In 2018-19 there were a total of 255,275 completed episodes of ST-Max[19], an increase of 9,240 (3.8%) since the previous year. Eighty-six per cent (219,390) of these completed episodes were delivered for adults aged 65 and over. Completed episodes for 18-64 year olds increased 20.1% on the previous year.
It is important to note that one person may have multiple episodes of ST-Max within the year. As such, the 255,275 episodes of ST-Max related to 216,150 clients, which equates to an average of 1.2 completed episodes of ST-Max per client during the year.
ST-Max is typically provided to those clients with a primary support reason[20] of physical support. This is where an individual requires help because they find physical things difficult to do by themselves. Physical support was stated as the primary support reason for 87.5% (223,780) of completed ST-Max episodes in the period.
The same can be seen when considering the £332 million (up £13 million since 2017-18) gross current expenditure on ST-Max, where 82.0% (£272 million) was allocated to services for clients with a primary support reason of physical support.
Although the numbers for learning disability support are small, completed episodes of ST-Max for this primary support reason have more than doubled since 2017-18 from 2,180 to 4,445. For the 18-64 year age group they now account for 11.5% of completed ST-Max episodes.
ST-Max is not only offered to new clients. Many (though not all) local authorities offer this to existing clients, who account for 12.4% (31,670) of the total completed episodes of ST-Max in the period. Given that existing clients already have long term needs, the outcomes are very different.
The following section will only discuss the outcomes for new clients (those not already in receipt of long term care). Data on outcomes for existing clients can be found in the reference tables[21] and data files accompanying this report.