The local steering group defines the boundaries for community insight based on current data and intelligence about local needs. It is then regularly updated to reflect the most recent available data.
We had plenty of data showing inequality, but we didn’t know what everyday life was like for people in the priority areas identified. We didn’t fully understand how they experienced living, working, learning, socialising and connecting with others.
Five years on from the Director of Public Health annual report in 2019/20 we have seen positive shifts, but the need for ongoing work at a local level remains critical. The community insight Profiles (CIP) programme aligns closely with the Marmot Place approach, to achieve equity, prevention, and community empowerment. It supports the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan by promoting integrated care, prevention, and personalised, community-based support.
Our focus now is on consolidating progress, learning from experience, and continuing to drive momentum.
Why was the Community Insight Profiles programme developed?
The programme was developed to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing health and wellbeing in Oxfordshire’s most disadvantaged areas. Three different types of data used by community insight profiles means we now have a clearer picture:
- Epidemiological data (health and wellbeing statistics)
- Community insight and lived experience
- The mapping of local assets and resources
The profiles also link directly to the Oxfordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and strengthen the evidence base for planning and service delivery more widely.
A collaborative, but tailored approach
In each area, steering groups were formed to bring together district and city councils, NHS, voluntary and community sector partners, and in some cases, residents themselves. Where strong health and wellbeing partnerships already existed such as in The Leys, Wood Farm and Barton, this process built on those foundations to avoid duplication, make full use of local knowledge and relationships, and ensure the work complemented what was already happening.
In other areas, such as Banbury and Bicester, subgroups were formed using existing partnerships including the Brighter Futures in Banbury Partnership and the Healthy Bicester Partnership. Action plans from the Community Insight Profiles were developed through a collaborative and locally led process.
In places without established networks, including central Oxford, Abingdon and Berinsfield, new steering groups were created to lead the development of the profile. Abingdon is now working towards being a more community led partnership with the support of the community health development officer.
For a full list of community insight profiles, take a look on the Oxfordshire Data Hub.
Insight for wider thinking
The insight gathered from community insight profiles can inform decision making across organisations. Tom Gubbins, Cherwell District Council explains how insight is changing how organisations think.
The proof of concept
The insight profiles have helped shape bigger changes across Cherwell. For example, they provided the evidence needed to develop Play Zones - hear from a community leader about the benefits the space has brought to the community.
All you need to know
The community insight profile development toolkit provides you with all you need to replicate this approach in a way that's relevant for your area, and an interactive dashboard to provide accessible, updateable place-based data.
Funding for specific outcomes
Local grants were allocated to fund the individual community initiatives identified as a result of the community insight profiles. It nurtured confidence, improved decision making, strengthened local networks and cultivated pride – leaving communities better connected and more able to shape their future.
Encouraging signs of progress
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for Oxfordshire bring together information on income, employment, education and skills, health, crime, housing and access to services, and the local environment to give each area a combined deprivation score and rank. In some of Oxfordshire’s most deprived areas, things are improving.