Cobseo Members' Survey 2021

Abstract: The analysis presented in this report pertains to the third Cobseo Members survey, undertaken in May 2021, which builds on evidence from the May and October 2020 Members’ surveys. The results presented in this report provide a comparison between results obtained over all three surveys to help chart the evolving impact of the pandemic on Cobseo Members as they continue to serve beneficiaries under challenging circumstances.As noted in the first Members’ survey of May 2020, qualitative responses combined with figures appear to show a notable difference between Members who are delivering front-line services, compared with organisations who are not direct service delivery organisations. While only 18% of all respondents reported a risk of beneficiary need/ numbers being unmanageable within one-year, there is clearly increased demand for mental health and wellbeing services, which require front-line delivery and continued cash-flow to support. This area has the potential to see further increase in need as the pandemic continues to bear on individual’s mental wellbeing. Additionally, those unable to access stretched services now, may present later with more complex and compounded needs, further stretching services. DSC recommends close monitoring of the current situation with Members providing frontline services, particularly for mental health and wellbeing, to develop a detailed understanding of funding and service delivery challenges with which to inform policy efforts.