Durham Index of Need (DIoN)

The Durham Index of Need (DIoN) is a locally developed tool that helps identify community needs by combining local data at small area level relating to income, poverty, health, and other risk factors and outcomes. It is designed to inform and support targeted action where it’s needed most at a local level, providing partners a focus of where to look.

The geography used is Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) which is a small-area statistical geography, smaller than Local Authority and subject to less boundary change than Wards. The average population of an MSOA is around 7,000.

How DIoN Can Be Used:

  • Identify areas needing support (e.g. boosting pension credit uptake).
  • Guide service delivery and targeted interventions.
  • Help partners assess and prioritise population needs.
  • Strengthen funding applications for specific areas.

Key Principles:

  • DIoN is a resource to inform local decision-making, not a ranking tool for comparing areas. If you use it as a league table then you’re using it incorrectly!
  • Different areas have unique needs and different starting points.

Recent applications of DIoN:

  • Supporting pension credit uptake projects.
  • Aiding Winter Planning efforts.
  • Assisting fire and rescue services in protecting vulnerable residents.
  • Helping Integrated Neighbourhood Teams identify priority areas.

DIoN doesn’t cover all small-area data but works alongside Durham Insight to provide a detailed sub-county evidence base for improving financial resilience, health, and reducing inequalities.

For further information relating to the use of DIoN please contact PublicHealthIntelligence@durham.gov.uk.

[1] MSOAs are small geographical areas in the United Kingdom that are designed to have similar population sizes (around 7,500 on average) and relatively stable geographical borders, making them useful for analysing and comparing local data. However, the population size of individual MSOAs can vary, and some may have populations slightly above or below the average. It’s important to note that population figures can change over time due to demographic shifts, changes in housing patterns, and other factors.