PD641 - TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY WITH ‘EARLY HELP’ PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SERVICES: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

PD641

TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY WITH ‘EARLY HELP’ PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SERVICES: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

S. Burden^1,2,*, D. Jones¹, A. Gilfillan³, J. Burns ³, P. Clarkson ¹

¹School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester , Manchester , ²Intestinal Failure , Salford Royal Trust , Salford , ³Early Help Team , Manchester City Council , Manchester , United Kingdom

Rationale: Social care can tackle the underlying issues of poverty that contribute to food insecurity which are known to exacerbate health inequalities. Study aims were to examine if early help (EH) from social services can support families attending foodbanks by addressing some of the underlying causes of food insecurity.   

Methods:  

A sequential mixed methods study. Data from the previous 3-yrs were identified from the EH social services database. Participants included families who had used a foodbanks and received EH. Multivariable regression  was used to examine associations between identified needs and needs met. Semi-structured interviews  were conducted to explore stakeholder experiences including foodbank users, EH practitioners and foodbank volunteers. 

Results: There were 385 records identified including 1840 individuals (1108 children, 732 adults) and  35 needs identified within families of which 22(63%) were met by early social care intervention in >90% of families. A longer duration of help (>12 months) was related to families having a high proportion of their needs met (β 0.16, 95% CI 0.03, 0.30, p=0.01). Participants interviewed (n=23) were service users, foodbank staff, and EH practitioners. Data  revealed three broad themes: “systemic and structural drivers of food insecurity”, “lived experiences and service engagement” and “visions and improvements”. 

Conclusion: Both social care intervention and foodbanks were viewed as critical services for mitigating hardship and supporting families in crises. Needs identified and met showed synergy with participant’s experiences from both a service user and practitioner perspective. Data from social services, alongside the lived experiences of individuals facing food insecurity and insights from key stakeholders, highlights the effectiveness of this approach in supporting longer-term changes by tackling issues underpinning food insecurity.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared