Agenda item

The Board to endorse the outcomes from the JSNA Equalities Data sub-group, established to address concerns raised around gaps in equalities data at the June 2017 HWB meeting.

Mark Wakefield, Bristol City Council Service Manager: Performance & Information & Intelligence presented the report on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Equalities Data sub group.  The sub group were tasked with delivering improved availability and use of equalities data for use in the JSNA and planning and commissioning decisions.

A data audit conducted by this working group identified and classified data and products as follows:

-        where data on personal characteristics is available and should be analysed as a matter of course in future JSNA data products

-        where service breakdowns and equalities reports already exist and should be appropriately included in the JSNA

-        where data is not available, either through lack of recording mechanisms in IT systems, or through missed opportunities to capture it at contact points with citizens

Whilst the first two can progress within the data community to establish standard definitions and formats, the third, focussing on fundamental data problems will need further guidance from the HWB and constituent organisations.

The following was noted from the discussion that followed:

a.     Clarification was sought on the principles of the Diamond Cluster; which is a set of recommendations on categorisation of equalities data which were proposed as a possible driver of better recording practice for partners.

b.     Cllr Craig supported this work commenting that there was a need for consistency across partners on the data collected which in turn would benefit the delivery of services. 

c.      A question was raised on the quality of disability data collected and how this was to be improved.

d.     Elaine Flint, had noted in her work with the Bristol Mental health sub group the need to have data to properly identify service users and the necessity for this data to be as comprehensive as possible to enable sharing of outcomes from the work.

e.     Julia Clark shared that there exists the intent to collect data on protected characteristics but often front line staff found it hard to collect this data from service users due to pressure of work and/or whether it is appropriate to approach.  Suggested collective thought to be given to determine at what point during the contact data should be collected and to avoid missed opportunities.

f.       Vicki Morris noted that the improvement in the use of digital technology could facilitate capturing data from service users.

g.      Robert Woolley confirmed that Healthier Together transformation programme included work on the use of the digital platform to capture data.  As an action he would take this away and ensure that this team link into this JSNA work.  Action: Mark Wakefield to be provided with details of the programme lead.

h.     Mayor Rees, supported the aspiration to ensure that there was a single source of truth stating that JSNA work was useful to all partners.  Action: He proposed that all partners agree that the identified key personal working in their team meet together with the programme team from Healthier Together with Mark Wakefield as Lead.

i.       The Board agreed this as a way forward requesting that information on the principles of Diamond Cluster was shared with the Board members.  Action: Mark Wakefield.

j.       Mayor further requested that the work was brought back to the next meeting.

Resolved:

       i.          That the Board would endorse the work done.

      ii.          That the outcomes of the work from the agreed actions return to the Board for further consideration.