Developing a Local Poverty Profile LAPS Capacity Building Seminars 2006 What is a Poverty Profile A full and accurate picture of the nature and extent of poverty in the area Systematically identifying, gathering and mapping information on the social and economic need in the area Should identify the areas and communities that experience the highest levels of disadvantage and the nature of that disadvantage Developing a Local Poverty Profile By identifying local poverty issues, it can help: Draw up a local needs appraisal Target resources in the most effective way Carry out follow-up action and evaluation Add to needs appraisal at national level Developing a Local Poverty Profile First step find out how much work has been done already, so as to avoid duplication and increase peoples understanding of the issues Keep the following questions in mind: - Is the material valid and based on verifiable research? Is the material inaccurate or inconsistent? Are there gaps in datasets? Is the same definition being applied to particular terms or different terms Arte the research findings statistically reliable? Can the statistics or research results over time or between different geographical areas be compared? Developing a Local Poverty Profile Remember the following:- Information does not need to come solely from the local authority, use other sources Information gathered should be as IT friendly as possible (useful to have an IT staff member involved) Work with other stakeholders, many will have expertise across a number of themes and may be key sources of data Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Selection of Themes Selection of Indicators Data identification and gathering Basic data analysis Mapping, preferably using a Geographic Information System (GIS) Presentation and Review Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Themes/Domains: These are the broad headings, policy areas or function areas that are used to organise information for the poverty profile. They typically include: Housing; Health; Welfare dependency; Educational disadvantage They may include: Transport; Community amenities; Quality of Life Themes may also include specific target groups such as Women; Older People; Children; Ethnic Minorities; Travellers Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Indicators: Most commonly a number, percentage, rate or ratio that shows the extent to which an event or phenomenon is present or absent. Examples:- Welfare Dependency: Number of recipients of Unemployment Assistance; Number of Recipients of Lone Parents Allowance Housing and Accommodation: Number assessed by local authority as being in housing need; Number of population who are local authority tenants Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Selecting Indicators National policies and indicators, e.g. NAPS; NESC; NDP Local Authority databases Databases held by other national, regional and local organisations Previous local research studies National and international publications, e.g. DSFA, CSO, EU, UN Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Choosing the Right Indicators Easily understood Addressing priority issues Conceptually valid and analytically sound Measurable Available for the specific area Balance between too few and too many. All indicators should be reviewed regularly due to changing priorities and circumstances and the availability of data Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Identifying and Gathering Data: Finding and gathering appropriate data is one of the key tasks of developing a local poverty profile. It takes a lot of time and should be planned Sources of Data: Check out the most obvious sources of data on poverty and social exclusion first Geographic Area: Consider which geographic area is most appropriate, District Electoral Division (DED) most common Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Basic Data Analysis: Make sure the categories or groups are relevant. For example, a dataset on educational attainment grouped by gender tells little unless it also shows socio- economic status or labour market experience Mapping Data: Clear picture, have more of an impact, easily understood. GIS possible to map a variety of datasets simultaneously Steps in Developing a Local Poverty Profile Presenting and Reviewing a Local Poverty Profile Description of the theme Description of the indicators and reason for choosing them Source and regularity of the data Baseline data collected Key issues or trends emerging Gaps in information