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Annual Statistics:  2005/06

Annual Statistics:  2004/05

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Activity Report 2006/2007

Advice, Counselling and Specialist Services

62 Dee Street, Aberdeen
 

| Contents | Review | Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Appendix | pdf format 346kb

This section provides a more detailed analysis of client characteristics for those who took up counselling appointments, thereby becoming active caseload. The information is broken down for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire and takes the form of gender analysis, age range, marital status, employment status, and source of referral, all of which can have an important bearing on the degree and duration of progress clients make towards their chosen goals. Additional information is provided regarding Service and Area distribution.

Since the ORION database became operational in 2003-2004 we have been able to monitor changes in both the number and source of referrals. This is important in terms of service planning and provision. The identification of patterns and trends in drinking behaviours is in its infancy statistically, but anecdotally, we remain aware of the range of alcohol problems experienced which necessitate a number of evidence based responses.

366 clients became active caseload in the specified time frame. 232 and 134 respectively were Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire clients. The following bar charts provide firstly a gender analysis in terms of drinking or significant other clients for both regions, and then a similar breakdown or Aberdeenshire clients in North, Central and South areas.

The figures are self explanatory: the only difference of any statistical note from the previous period, can be seen in the distribution of male Primary (drinkers) in the Aberdeen City, which has risen by 27 clients in a year, which is an approximate increase of 12%. All other categories show no significant change. A similar picture of no significant change emerges for Aberdeenshire.

As illustrated, on the whole the 26-55 year age group have the greatest representation in the statistics. There is very little variation on 2005-6 results for this category for both city and shire. The exception being that in the 36-45 year age group in the City there has been an increase.

The distribution of age ranges within the shire remains consistent with last year’s figures, with the notable exception of the 18 year olds and under category. Here we witness a more even distribution than the previous period (2005-6) between North and Central Regions, with only a minimal increase in the south. This could be attributable to the workers in these areas becoming more established. Certainly partnership working between the statutory and non statutory sectors has increased since the implementation of the GOPR recommendations

Single status continues to be the most represented sector in the agencies figures. There has been very little overall change in this category for the City of Aberdeen, compared to 2004-5 figures, but a substantial increase on 2005-6 figures. A notable change can be seen in the Shire figures for this category, with a 100% increase since 2004-5. It is difficult to draw any firm conclusions from this data regarding prevalence or patterns of behaviour, but it is interesting to note that clients with a strong social network may be less likely access the service in the first place. Evidence also suggests that having a supportive partner or family can have a positive impact on the sustainability of changes to drinking behaviour. There would appear to be a significantly higher level of dysfunction in clients who live alone or have few social networks.

The majority of our clients are in employment as illustrated. But there has been a change in trend over the past 3 years with significantly more City clients qualifying as Unemployed. This category in the City has experienced an increase of 2/3 over the period 2004-5 until 2006-7. All other categories reveal little change

Historically the majority of our clients have been self referrals. This continues to be the case with virtually no shift from previous years in percentage terms. The figure currently remains at 60% of total caseload. It is important to note that of this 60% only a very small number have approached their GP or another service exclusively about an alcohol problem prior to contacting this agency. It appears from details at Assessment that if a GP has been consulted it is usually regarding what could be alcohol related symptoms e.g. gastro intestinal or affective disorders. If alcohol use is disclosed, a minority of GPs will make a direct referral, but many clients come on the recommendation of their GP only. The majority of GP referrals in the city for this time frame are accounted for by the dedicated service at Northfield for heavily dependent drinkers.

There has been a reduction in referrals from SMS over the past two years. It is suggested that this is due to growth in this sector i.e. larger staff teams that have become operational throughout the region, but particularly in the shire. Although the figures are self explanatory, what is not reflected is the amount of partnership working that continues regardless of the origin of referral.

Referrals from the district court have been slow, although at 7 more than in the previous two years. Employment/occupational health referrals are a minimal part of service provision presently.

Unfortunately in its present form, ORION 2 is not able to produce a report on Service distribution.  This is disappointing. Core Adult Counselling continues to be the dominant sector approximately 51% of total clients. Dispersed counselling and the Child & Family Service in Aberdeenshire accounting for approximately 21% and 20% of total service activity. The remaining services such as Northfield and Criminal Justice Aberdeenshire account for the shortfall.

Area distribution is similar to last year’s picture. Similarly the postcode analysis reveals that there is little overall change in the areas represented AB10, AB11, AB16, AB24, AB51, although AB42 referrals have shown a significant reduction compared to the same time period last year