Human Services Needs Analysis
We recently completed a Human Services Needs Analysis for Yarra Ranges. This analysis identified health and wellbeing impacts to residents and service providers.
We sent the survey to over 200 organisations who provide health and human services in the region. This also included Council teams who proved services to the community.
Key findings
Nearly all services report ongoing pandemic impacts within the community. This is in terms of physical and mental health, social impacts and financial impacts.
Residents are having challenges in accessing local services which they need. Barriers include cost, transport and lack of availability. Service providers have found a lack of community needs for human services. This was mostly found in vulnerable groups and households experienced financial stress.
Services are facing major challenges in dealing with a demand for human services. This includes:
- limited availability of local services to refer people to
The service types with the most reports of increased demand over the past four years are:
- emergency and food relief services
- housing and homelessness support
- social connection and support
- financial support services.
Areas also have service gaps, along with transport access and youth services. The Hills and the Valley experience the highest level of service gaps. Factors driving need for services include:
- service demands per person
- complex chronic health issues
- challenges with access to transport or affordable housing.
- reduced use of preventative health care during the pandemic has exacerbated health issues.
Next Steps
The next steps for the project will be to share these insights. We can use this work to inform upcoming strategic and advocacy work. This work will be used with service providers to develop appropriate responses.
Download the report
Both the Executive Summary and the detailed report are available to download.