Meeting the need: what makes a 'good' JSNA for mental health or dementia?

Author:
BELL Andy
Publisher:
Centre for Mental Health
Publication year:
2016
Pagination:
24
Place of publication:
London

This report investigates what makes a ‘good’ joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) for mental health or dementia that can bring about real change in people’s lives. It looks at how five local areas across England carried out their JSNAs to understand how they produced their needs assessments, how they used them and what impact they had. The local areas visited were: Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Haringey, Surrey, and Swindon. The analysis found that needs assessments can help raise the profile of mental health and dementia, direct investment, improve services and help local agencies work together more effectively. The report highlights eight factors that characterise successful needs assessments for mental health and dementia that result in the greatest impact. These are: effective leadership to ensure JSNA findings result in action once the assessment is completed; a clear purpose; engagement and collaboration when creating the statement, national policy directives; reliable and up-to-date evidence and data; including the views of people with lived experience, presentation, ensuring the findings are easily accessible; and follow up. To have the biggest impact, they need a clear purpose, effective leadership and advocacy, and partnerships that continue after the JSNA is completed to ensure that they lead to action. The report also provides key messages for local and national bodies. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
local authorities, needs assessment, dementia, mental health problems, public health, joint working, population, health needs;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
England
Link:
Register/Log in to view this resource

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts