Using public health data to inform your work in Cheshire East: JSNA
In April, CVSCE and Cheshire East Council held a webinar introducing the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and how VCFSE groups can use the data to inform your work. Following on from this session, Georgia Carsberg has provided the following article summarising what was discussed and sharing more information about the JSNA programme for the coming year.
What is a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and how can you use it to support your work?
What is a JSNA?
A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) looks at the health and wellbeing needs of people in the local area, both now and in the future. The needs identified in a JSNA can be addressed by the local council, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), or the NHS.
How can the JSNA help you?
You can simply use a JSNA to understand a given issue in Cheshire East. However, the information and data contained within the JSNA can be readily applied to support planning, inform priority setting, and they can be used to support funding bids.
It helps us to work together to co-ordinate provision and avoid duplication of work.
Example of how the JSNAs have been used by a VCFSE organisation
Citizens Advice services in Cheshire East have contributed data and case studies to the Poverty JSNA and used the final report to support funding bids and provide strategic context for Board Members.
Citizens Advice Cheshire North (CACN) has drawn on the JSNA’s key issues and conclusions to strengthen funding applications to the Local Authority, Cheshire Wirral Partnership, The National Lottery, and smaller contracts for Information, Advice, and Advocacy services.
What has recently been published…
Between 2022- 2026 the following JSNA reviews have been published on the Cheshire East Council website:
- Sexual Health JSNA
- Tartan Rug update
- Loneliness and social isolation JSNA
- Special Educational Needs and Disability JSNA
- Emotional and mental wellbeing
- Crewe
- Falls
- Drugs and alcohol
- Smoking
- Poverty
What is coming next?
- Macclesfield JSNA
- Ageing Well JSNA
- Lifestyle JSNA
- Early Years JSNA
The JSNA webpage can be accessed here: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
Update on the 2025/26 JSNA programme- a year focused on neighbourhoods
As part of the JSNA work programme prioritisation process, we would normally seek input from VCFSE representatives outside of the JSNA Steering Group. However, the JSNA Steering Group has agreed that this year’s work programme will focus on place-based JSNAs (now referred to as neighbourhood JSNAs).
In 2023 we completed a review on Crewe, and the Macclesfield JSNA is due for publication this year. It has been agreed that for the 2026/27 JSNA programme we will focus on the remaining areas of Cheshire East.
These JSNAs are likely to be developed in phases. Phase 1 will involve the capturing the data, while Phase 2 will focus on engagement.
In addition, we will be undertaking a desktop review on gambling harms.
We welcome any qualitative feedback on priorities for next year’s JSNA work programme, which can be shared at any point during this year.
Not finding what you need or have any feedback contact: phit@cheshireeast.gov.uk
