Needs Analysis 2022 FLIP - Manual / Resource - Page 25
5. Prevent and support recovery of drug and alcohol
misuse
Medway is ranked worst for substance abuse in Kent in
a number of indicators. It has the highest volume (73),
second highest per head of population prevalence (26
per 1000) and third highest rising trend of substance
273
253
250
185
188
Maidstone
50
98
Tunbridge Wells
Sevenoaks
Tonbridge & Malling
Ashford
Dartford
Gravesham
Dover
Medway
0
84
69
100
107
119
145
152
150
Canterbury
236
200
misuse (58% increase from the previous year) across
Kent and Medway.126 52% of the adults in treatment had
problems with opiates, which is the largest substance
group.127
The Medway figures do not include the number of
children receiving treatment for substance misuse which
is 123 (1.9 per 1000 0-17 yr. olds) putting Medway in top
25% of all local authorities.128
Oasis Domestic Abuse Services support
adults, children and young people in East
Kent, Medway and North Kent who have been
affected by domestic abuse.
Sam* was referred by Early Help and
Preventative Services to Oasis. He had been
witness and victim to domestic abuse between
his mother and father until he was seven years
old when his parents separated.
CASE STUDY
4. Improving economic wellbeing and restoring
financial resilience for the most vulnerable
Medway has some of the highest instances of debt
and deprivation in Kent. It has the highest percentage
of children (under 16’s) living in absolute low income
at 16.4%124 and the largest number of Universal credit
claimants in Kent, including those employed whilst
on Universal credit.125 Indicators also demonstrate a
link between debt and the number of universal credit
claimants, with Medway ranking worst for unmet
demand for face-to-face debt advice. Groups more likely
than average to have taken on more debt since the start
of the coronavirus pandemic include renters, minority
ethnic groups, parents and carers, disabled people, those
who are shielding, and young people.
300
Folkestone & Hythe
3. Reducing loneliness especially for the elderly
Medway has a remarkably high estimated number of
older people aged 65+ that are lonely at 360,321.120 This
is based on 2011 ONS Census and Age UK insight. Most
recent Census figures were not available at the time of
going to print (they will be available in from June 2022);
however, it is reinforced by Medway ranking 120th out of
all authorities on the loneliness scale, which is second
highest rank across Kent and Medway.121 Medway is also
the second highest district for pensioners living alone.122
Before lockdown, Medway Council estimated that
around 12,000 people across Medway were affected by
social isolation.123
A rank of 1 on the table below, is the most deprived. There
are 333 local authorities in England.
Swale
Possession of a weapon is also increasing. Medway
recorded the third highest incidence per 1,000 of
population with the most arrests across Kent and
Medway.118 Of Children in Need (CIN) episodes, the
Department of Education reported 0.7 out of every 1,000
under 17’s in Medway feature a child where gangs are
identified as a factor at assessment.119
Medway is ranked 4th most deprived in Kent and Medway.
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County Lines associated with drug running is a
growing issue and is difficult to isolate to one place as
recruitment of vulnerable young people and place of
crime are often across different areas. Proximity to the
London boroughs means that Medway is a prime target.
DEPRIVATION
Thanet
Youth Justice system for the first time. Some of these
offences will be relatively minor, but for serious crimes
there is a growing trend.
Sam has contact with his father and witnesses
his anger and attempts to continue to control
the family. Sam struggles with his anger and the
referral states that Sam’s mother was worried he
would hurt her.
ere parent suffering domestic abuse117
NEEDS ANALYSIS
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