EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - A literature review on multiple and complex needs

A literature review on multiple and complex needs

Introduction

The study reviewed evidence from research literature on service provision for people with multiple and complex needs.

Description

The aim of this research was to review the evidence from the research literature on service provision for people with multiple and complex needs.

Five key objectives of the literature review were:

to examine definitions of ‘multiple and complex needs’ and to identify client groups who are identified as having these needs;
to explore people’s awareness of services and options;
to explore factors affecting access to services;
to examine service users’ experiences;
and to identify best practice in service provision and lessons for implementation.

Background information

This literature review is the first stage in a programme of work under the Scottish Executive’s Multiple and Complex Need initiative that aims to identify lessons for improved service provision through a range of pilot projects.

Methodology

Literature on multiple and complex needs from Scotland and the UK, published since 1999 was examined. An initial step in searching the available literature involved consulting key informants and organisations. Fifteen key Scottish agency representatives and/or individual ‘experts’ were contacted by email and telephone.

A small number of face-to-face interviews also took place and a focus group was held with research and policy staff within the Scottish Executive in March 2006. Searches of relevant databases, internet sites and publication search sources were carried out. A cumulative analysis across all the literature was undertaken and reflects the aims and objectives of the study.

Conclusions

The research highlights that:

at government level there is a lack of strategic prioritisation and fragmentation, while local commissioning systems are often fragmented;
local service networks may involve a lack of co-ordination and poor information flow, a lack of support for participation, agency divides and culture clashes;
at service level, responses may be limited by narrow vision, short-time frames, crisis-driven assessment and communication blocks;
and wider constraints on positive responses include stigma and resource constraints.

The research presents a bleak picture of the quality of responses obtained by people with multiple and complex needs. It emphasises significant gaps in services and support and stresses the need for more innovative and creative joint strategies, as well as partnerships that involve service users.

Contact info

Scottish Executive Social Research
Phone: + 44 131 244 3759
srinternet @scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

01/01/2007

Researcher

Dr Ann Rosengard and Isla Laing (Ann Rosengard Associates); Dr Julie Ridley (Ridley Kirk Consultancy); Susan Hunter (University of Edinburgh).

Article info
ISBN: 9780755964130

Links

Visit the Scottish Executive Social Research website

Download the "Literature review on multiple and complex needs" Report (PDF, Eng, 823 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Integration of social groups