Community Profiling 1

Exploring Meanings

Community Development

A definition:“A sustainable process by which

communities develop the capacity to collectively define and take action on issues affecting their lives”

Chirico, Findlay, Haywood, McCutcheon, Rai, Scott and Wells (1998)

Steps of community development

ProfilingNetworkingIdentifying community perceived needsCollective community actionParticipatory evaluationThese steps are the process of CD and

not in order but continuous and cyclical

Types of information gathering

• Needs assessment

• Community consultations

• Social audit

• Community profile

Needs Assessment

• Usually carried out/initiated by a statutory agency (PCT; LA)

• Generally use existing data (quantitative) but can include “perceived need” too)

• Communities not necessarily involved• Opportunities fro primary research

may be limited due to size of area

Community Consultations

• Typically in relation to a set of proposals, options or priorities already developed

• But could be used as part of broader community profiling exercise

• Variety of techniques: survey questionnaire; focus groups; citizens, panels and juries; Planning for Real

Social Audit

• Specific process defined by New Economics Foundation (2006)

• Way of measuring organization’s performance that takes account of social and ethical impacts

• May be conducted at community level, new primary data about perceived need

• Or at district level to identify inequities

So what is community profiling?

Definitions:“Profiling describes the process of

building a detailed picture of a target community through involving local people and working in partnership with organisations and individuals who plan and deliver services in the area.”

Chirico, et al. Op cit.

So what is community profiling?

Definitions:“A comprehensive description of the needs of

a population that is defined, or defines itself, as a community, and the resources that exist within that community, carried out with the active involvement of the community itself, for the purpose of developing an action plan or other means of improving the quality of life of the community” Hawtin & Percy-Smith, 2007. p5.

What is CP cont’d

• Useful way of developing understanding of people in a geographical area or community of interest

• Understanding assists in developing a plan• Illustrate the make up of a community• Could include a range of information• Also level of interest in getting involved

What is the purpose of a CP?

• Useful to gather information may not be already recorded

• Highlight gaps in our understanding• Encourage broader thinking• Determine who is likely to be affected• Means to develop relationships and

build capacity• Gather community intelligence over

time

What do we need to be aware of?

• As an engagement activity – people should be clear

• Communities complex – information overload possible

• Some if the most interesting questions can be the most expensive to research

References and further Reading

Chirico, S. et al (1998) Sustainable Community Development Guidelines. Bedfordshire Health Authority. ISBN 0-9534172-0-4

Hawtin, M. and Percy-Smith, J. (2007) Community Profiling: a practical guide

Chs 1 & 2. Berkshire: OUP/McGraw-Hill Education. Read ch. 3

Ledwith, M. (2006) Community Development: a critical approach. Bristol: Policy Press. Read ch 2