2 The aim of Essex Insight ( ) is to share a wide range of information with the public and organisations that operate in Essex. The information covers a number of themes: Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing Crime and Community Safety

Essex Insight provides the tools to allow: Residents to give us their views by joining in surveys and consultations. This helps us to develop plans, strategies and services which meet the needs of people in Essex. Businesses and public service organisations to find the evidence to support decisions. Essex Insight has mapping tools and reporting tools to help people to analyse and report on data. We recognise that people may use the system for different reasons. For example: A member of the public may use Essex Insight to provide their views in a survey to shape future services. A business or private organisation may use Essex Insight to understand what their community needs are to identify where to target resources. A voluntary organisation or charity may use Essex Insight to prepare a funding bid to implement a new intervention or target audience. A public services organisation may use intelligence from Essex Insight to support a plan or target resources to improve services for Essex residents. 3

4 Essex Insight and other observatories Questions for discussion Do you use a similar observatory? What are peoples experiences of it ? How do you organise your information? What other sites link into it? Do partners take ownership? (amend and use) How is it funded (do partners contribute)?