What is the ACSS?

A pilot commissioned by NHS Dorset to support those with severe mental illness (SMI) to access information about local services and support.

Research by NHS Dorset indicates that those with SMI struggle to access community support, with barriers such as out-of-date or inconsistent information online making it harder to find what they’re looking for.

60% of suicides happen at home or in a community location, and community support offers could be best placed to identify early risks and support people before they need to access statutory services.

CAN’s role in the pilot

Community Action Network are leading the project management of the pilot. Having already been involved in supporting the SMI population, we are utilising our local knowledge, connections and sector understanding to help create a shared data set using Open Referral UK (ORUK) data standards. This benefits NHS mental health teams, PCNs, the local voluntary sector and individuals with unmet needs.

Why a shared data set?

Accurate and up-to-date community support and services information in one place, that can be accessed by multiple interfaces or directories. At the end of the pilot, we will assess the benefits of using a data standard, including recommendations for ongoing assurance and maintenance of the data set.

Our hope is for a county-wide shared resource that would save time invested by individual organisations to maintain accurate data and increase awareness of existing services to those who need them.

How can I be part of the project?

We are beginning to populate the data set for organisations offering services to the local community in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, and wider Dorset.

Find out how to submit services and session information.

Get in touch with the project team at servicefinder@can100.org

About Open Referral UK

Open Referral UK have defined a standard data structure for information about services, providing a consistent way of gathering and using data. Since February 2022, Open Referral UK has been an internationally recognised standard and its use is recommended for all UK public systems in NHS, Local Government and Department of Education.