Using system dynamics to model the social care system: Simulation modeling as the catalyst in linking demography to care delivery

This paper describes a system dynamics model for social care, developed in collaboration with a local authority in England, as part of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Care Life Cycle project based at the University of Southampton. The model was populated with data from a wide range of sources, local and national. We present some illustrative results, and discuss the process of model development and the challenges around data collection. We also discuss the benefits derived from co-developing such a model with practitioner users and as part of a multi-disciplinary team involving demographers and social statisticians.