BACKGROUND
South Tyneside Council (STC) approached INE to undertake an evidence review of successful interventions to tackle multiple complex needs (MCNs). MCNs encompass overlapping issues such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental health problems, and criminal justice system involvement. Current service provision is frequently fragmented, with people often falling through gaps and relying on crisis support, leading to a “revolving door” effect.
WHAT WE DID
The INE Health and Wellbeing Research Associate assembled a team of academic experts at different career levels from Population Health Sciences Institute. The team developed a unique approach, synthesising academic evidence using a narrative approach and complementing it with high quality grey literature.
The insights INE developed served as blueprint for their stakeholder engagement around MCN practice. These principles are embedded in the practice and communication from the Council with stakeholders in the field and they are seeking feedback from practitioners
The insights will form areas for future evaluation and research to establish what works in South Tyneside. They will use the insights to build regional collaboration to address MCNs in the region
The evidence review has been co-presented to a wider academic audience at the Applied Research Collaboration
“The real 'additional value' that INE brought to this work was the collaborative and close relational way of working from the outset… it was a twoway relationship and that has led to a product that is both high quality academic work and applicable in local policy and practice.”
Tom Hall, Director of Public Health,
South Tyneside Council
