Developing a Local Poverty Profile

1. Developing a Local Poverty Profile LAPS Capacity Building Seminars 2006

2. 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

3. 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

4. Developing a Local Poverty Profile • First step – find out how much work has been done already, so as to avoid duplication and increase people’s 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?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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