Essex Offenders with Complex and Additional Needs (OCAN) Needs Assessment
Task
TONIC was commissioned alongside ATD Research and Consultancy to undertake a joint needs assessment for those with complex needs and multiple disadvantages among vulnerable people in Essex. The aim was to investigate those in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) and beyond, highlighting the prevalence of complex needs, identifying critical service gaps, and offering actionable recommendations. A 10-year review of the general landscape for those currently experiencing complex needs was required to reflect the progression since the 2014 ‘Offenders with Complex Needs’ report.
Our Approach
A multi-step, mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the needs of people experiencing multiple disadvantages in Essex in a three-stage process.
A comprehensive literature review was produced involving extensive analysis of national and local frameworks on multiple disadvantages, identifying factors that contribute to complex needs such as substance misuse, mental health issues, housing insecurity, and experiences within the CJS. The review drew on insights from influential studies such as the Make Every Adult Matter initiative, the Hard Edges report, and the Fulfilling Lives Programme.
Anonymised data provided by the Essex Probation Service and Essex Substance Misuse treatment programmes was analysed, representing over 12,000 individuals and their demographic indicators and complex needs.
Qualitative primary data was collected in the form of 92 interviews and 538 survey engagements, following themes drawn from the analysed quantitative data. These interviews were considered alongside interviews conducted for the Changing Futures Evaluation running concurrently to the needs assessment.
Data from the quantitative and qualitative sets were considered jointly to understand prevalence, strengths and areas for improvement across Essex.
Outcome
It was concluded that since the 2014 ‘Offenders with Complex Needs’ report, there has been significant progress made in Essex. The literature review highlighted coordinated, person-centred interventions working across service boundaries, as effective to addressing multiple disadvantages. The Making Every Adult Matter approach and Fulfilling Lives Programme demonstrated positive outcomes in the reduction of complex needs, encouraging collaboration between services, and emphasis of co-production. The Changing Futures Programme was contributing to improvements on an individual level and system level in Essex by enhancing local services and promoting trauma-informed care and holistic support.
The data demonstrated high levels of complexity, as those accessing the services faced overlapping challenges. Positive developments and areas of concern were identified in the data trends, such as decreases in suicide rates and deaths from drug misuse, alongside significant increases in reported crimes. However, data from probation and substance misuse services indicated that the number of individuals with more than two needs exceeded current service capacity. Furthermore, vulnerable groups with co-existing needs such as mental health issues and neurodivergence often fall through the gaps in provision.