What is the ACSS Project?

The Access to Community Support and Services (ACSS) project helps people find local support in Dorset. It is funded by NHS Dorset as part of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Transformation Programme.

The project team collect information about local services and check every two months to make sure it remains accurate. This shared data can be used by websites, apps, and tools so members of the public and frontline professionals can find reliable information. When the shared data set is updated, all connected websites, tools and apps are updated automatically.

The services listed cover a wide range of needs, including mental health, wellbeing, family support, community activities, and practical help. The aim is to make it easier for people to find the right support quickly and confidently.

What is Service Finder?

Service Finder is an online tool developed by Community Action Network (CAN) for NHS Dorset. It gives frontline workers quick access to up-to-date information about local services in Dorset, from the shared data set.

With Service Finder, you can:

• Search by topic, location, time of day, and more.
• Save and share services with colleagues, patients, or families.
• Access the tool and online or in person training for free.

Over 700 staff from health, council, and voluntary organisations already use Service Finder. If you work with children, young people, families, or anyone who needs support, this tool can help you find the right services fast.

How can you get involved?

There are two main ways to take part:

• List your services: If your organisation offers support in Dorset, we’d love to include you in the shared data set.
• Use Service Finder: If you support people in the community, get in touch to arrange free access and training.

Why is this important?

Finding help can be hard when information is out of date or inconsistent across different websites. Feedback from NHS Dorset suggests that people can struggle to access community support because of this.

By creating a shared, accurate data set, we can:

• Save time for organisations that maintain service information.
• Help professionals and the public find support.
• Reduce risks by connecting people to help as soon as possible.

What is Open Referral UK?

Open Referral UK is a national standard for how service information is structured. It makes it easier to share and use data across different systems. Since 2022, it has been the recommended standard for NHS, local government, and education services.

What’s next?

The shared data set is already powering Service Finder. Soon, Access Wellbeing will launch a public-facing directory using the same data, so everyone in Dorset can find support more easily.