NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Rochdale: the people, the place, their needs
Population

Our Population is growing; there are currently 211,700 people in the borough (ONS Census 2011), an
increase of 3.1% compared to the 2001 Census estimate of 205,360.

There are 56,200 children and young people in Rochdale (ONS Census 2011)
o
Around 27% of the Rochdale population is under the age of 20
o
This includes 14,800 aged 0-4 years, 13,100 aged 5-9 years, 13,900 aged 10-14 years and
14,400 aged 15-19 years.
o
Males outnumber females, 28,900 (51.4%) compared to 27,300(48.5%) (ONS Census
2011).

Rochdale has a high proportion of children and young people aged under 20 years than that seen
across the North West and England as a whole.

There is expected to be an increase in the number of young people aged 0-19 years in Rochdale in
the future. This trend is the reverse of that seen in previous years.
o
The 0-19 year population fell by 2.5% from 57,700 to 56,200 between 2001 and 2011
o
Population estimates predict that the number of young people will increase by 1.5% from
56,638 in 2013 to 57, 496 in 2016.
There are more children and young people living in Milkstone and Deeplish. (33.6%), Kingsway
(33.3%) and Smallbridge and Firgrove (32.5%) where they form a greater proportion of the
population.
Map 1: Population aged 0-19 by ward.
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Rochdale has an ethnically diverse population.

83.5% of the population were from a White British background, people of a Pakistani background
make up the largest minority ethnic groups with 17,200 people (8.3%) (Census 2011)

There are a higher proportion of children and young people aged under 15 years from mixed ethnic
groups, Pakistani and Bangladeshi, a lower proportion are from White groups (Census 2010)

Around a quarter of the most socio-economically deprived groups are of Asian origin. These groups
are generally younger than the general population.

Around 30% of school children in Rochdale are from a black or minority ethnic group (CHIMAT).
Deprivation
Rochdale is the 23rd most socio-economically deprived local authority area in England (out of 326) and the
3rd most deprived area in Greater Manchester as measured by the Indices of Deprivation 2010.

Four of Rochdale’s 135 Lower Super Output Areas are in the 100 most deprived in England (out of
32,482).

Areas with the highest levels of deprivation match closely to those with the highest number and
proportion of children within the population.
Map 2 IDACI Rank by Lower SOA 2010
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Rochdale uses MOSAIC segmental analysis to divide the
population into five socio-economic groupings:
1. Deprived, most vulnerable (18% of the population)
2. Deprived at risk of vulnerability (22% of the population)
3. Getting by (28% of the population)
4. Better off (26% of the population)
5. Wealthy (6% of the population)
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There are a higher proportion of children and young people and people of an Asian ethnic background within
the most socio-economically deprived groups.
Figure 1: Ethnicity by Mosaic socio-economic groups
White British
White Other
Mixed
Asian or Asian British
Black or Black British
Chinese or other ethnic group
100%
95%
90%
85%
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
1
2
3
4
5
Figure 2: Age by Mosaic socio-economic Groups
Age Population (2009 MYE)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1
2
3
4
5
Rochdale
England
0-15
16-29
30-44
45-64
65+
In 2012 there were 3014 live births in Rochdale, a 12% increase since 2006. The birth rate in the most socioeconomically deprived groups of the population is almost twice that of those in the most wealthy. This will
further increase the proportion of children in Rochdale vulnerable due to socio-economic deprivation.
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Figure 3: Birth rate by MOSAIC socio-economic grouping
Live Births by JSNA Deprivation Group 2011
100.00
92.81
90.00
85.01
80.00
74.18
70.00
57.75
Rate per 1000
60.00
47.91
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
1 = Deprived - most
vulnerable
2 = Deprived - at risk of
becoming vulnerable
3 = Getting by
4 = Better off
5 = Wealthy
Figure 4: Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) 2010 (higher is worse)
Population
IDACI Index
Number of Income
Deprived children
Aged 0-15
Rochdale
43,527
0.30
12,857
Greater Manchester
502,628
0.27
134,738
England
9,669,495
0.22
2,104,638

12,857 children aged 0-15 are estimated to be affected by income deprivation (measured by IDACI
Index 2010), this is higher than the Greater Manchester and England averages.

In 2010 27% of Rochdale children live in poverty (the proportion of children living in families in
receipt of out of work benefits or tax credits where their reported income is less than 60% median
income).

o
29 of 135 LSOA areas in Rochdale have 40% or more of children living in poverty. This
equates to 5698 children.
o
Overall 9365 local children will need to be lifted above the threshold by 2020 to be in line
with government targets to eradicate child poverty.
In 2012 22% of households were income deprived compared to 17.4% in the North West and 14.7%
in England.
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
In 2012 21.9% of children were eligible for and known to be claiming free school meals in state
funded primary schools in Rochdale Borough. This was higher than the both the North West (20%)
and England (18.1%) rates.

In state funded secondary schools 24% were eligible and claiming in Rochdale Borough compared
to 16.9% in the North West and 14.8% in England.
Looked After Children
A child is ‘Looked After’ by a local authority if they are in their care or is provided with accommodation for
more than 24 hours by the authority. They include children accommodated under voluntary agreement,
those subject to a care order or interim care order and those under emergency orders for the protection of
the child. Looked After Children are one of the most socially excluded groups and experience considerably
poorer outcomes when compared to all children.
In 2012, the number of Looked After Children (LAC) in Rochdale was 451.

The number of Looked After Children per 10,000 population (LAC rate) is higher than within similar
areas (statistical neighbours) and that across England as a whole. This rate fell in 2011/12 for the
first time since 2006/7.

Nearly three quarters of Looked After Children (72%) are looked after as a result of their experience
of abuse and neglect. This is a higher proportion within this category than that recorded nationally.
Figure 5: Rate per 10,000 population of Looked After Children (Department of Education)
Rate of children who were looked after at 31st March
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Rochdale
2006/07
Stat Neighbour
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
England
2010/11
2011/12

The largest proportion of Looked After Children in Rochdale are in the 10-15 age group, a higher
proportion are aged between 1 and 9 years compared to similar areas and England as a whole.
55% of LAC are boys.

A lower percentage of Looked After Children in Rochdale are in foster placements (71%), secure
units or children’s homes (6%) than that found similar areas or that across England as a whole. A
slightly higher percentage are placed with parents (11%) or placed for adoption (6%).

In 2012, 10.6% of Looked After Children experienced three or more placements in 12 months,
although higher than similar areas, this remains lower than the England average.
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Children in Need
A child is defined as ‘in need’ if they are unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or
development or if this is likely to be impaired (Children Act 1989). This includes disabled children (physical,
sensory, learning, emotional/behavioural disabilities) and children with parents whom are ill or have
disability, families in acute distress or dysfunction, those with socially unacceptable behaviour, absent
parenting and those with a history of problems.

In 2012, there were 2114 ‘Children in Need’ in Rochdale

This includes 229 on a child protection plan and approximately 80 children assessed as being at
Level 4 and 5 of the Children’s Needs and Response Framework.
Children with Disability
National prevalence survey findings applied to the local population (Census 2011) can be used to estimate
the numbers of children with different levels and types of disability living in Rochdale. Based upon an overall
6% prevalence, (Department for Work and Pensions (2012) family resources survey: United Kingdom
2010/11), there are a total of 3372 children with disability in Rochdale. Estimates include:

85 children between the ages of 5-19 with permanent confirmed hearing loss

22-113 children with severe visual impairment

2287 life limiting illness (2001 Census rate applied to local population)

652 children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including 218 with Autism)
19% of boys (5491) and 17% of girls (4641) are estimated to have mild learning difficulties. The number of
children with severe complex needs are estimated to include 32 boys and 14 girls (National Statistics Online
rate applied to 2011 population).
Children with Special Educational Needs
In 2012 there were 6,425 pupils with Special Educational Needs in Rochdale

19.4% of pupils have SEN, this is a higher percentage than comparator areas and the NW and
England average.

This includes 1094 pupils with a Statement, 1757 pupils on School Action Plus and 3515 on School
Action.

The rate of pupils with SEN varies from 8.3% for schools in Littleborough Lakeside to 29.1% in
Spotland and Falinge.
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Map 3: Percentage of pupils with SEN status by ward January 2012
Emotional well-being and mental health
Research indicates that between 10 and 20% of children and young people will experience emotional
problems at some point.
Mental health prevalence estimates for children and young people in Rochdale predict there will be:
 8430 with mild emotional and behavioural difficulties
 3934 with moderately severe problems requiring professional support
 1039 with severe and complex mental health needs
 39 with the most severe and persistent needs.
The Health Related Behaviour Survey in 2012 found that
 44% of Primary school boys (Years 4 and 6) and 28% of girls reported a high self esteem score. 6%
reported low self-esteem
 47% of Secondary school boys (Years 8 and 10), and 36% of girls reported a high self esteem score.
2% reported low self-esteem
The rate of hospital admissions as a result of self-harm (crude rate for self harm per 100,000 population
aged 0-17 years) in 2010/11 was higher in Rochdale (201.1) than the England average (124.8).
The health of children and young people in Rochdale
The health and well-being of children and young people is generally worse than the England average (Child
Health Profile, CHIMAT 2012).
Preventable mortality
 Infant mortality reduced by 45% between 1994-6 and 2008-10 and is now just below the England
average.
 Child mortality (age 1-17) is lower than the England average, (National Clinical Health Outcomes
Database, 2008/10).
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Health protection
Immunisation
Childhood immunisation uptake is high in Rochdale, giving the majority of local children protection against
infectious diseases.
 In 2012, a higher percentage of children received their childhood vaccines by the age of two and by
the age of five that seen across the North West and England.
 HPV vaccination uptake rates in 2010/11 were higher than the North West and England averages
with 90.9% of girls receiving all three doses.
 In 2009/10, 93.2% of Looked After Children had a vaccination status which was up to date compared
to 83.1% in England.
Chlamydia
In 2011/12 there were 495 diagnoses of chlamydia in young people aged 15-24 years
 This was an increase in the rate of diagnosis in 2010/11 and remains above the England average.
 This rate increase is the result of the successful identification of asymptomatic young people
diagnosed by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme.
Wider determinants of health
The aim to give every child the best start in life was prioritised within the Marmot Review in order to reduce
inequalities in health. The most readily available measure is the number of children achieving a good level
of development. This is measured within the Early Years Foundation Profile as an observation of behaviour
and understanding. Children who achieve 78 points across all 13 scales (including a minimum number in
particular areas of learning and development) are considered to have reached ‘a good level of development’.
56% of pupils achieved a good level of development in 2012 compared to 54% in 2011, the gap between the
borough and national rate in 2011 was 5% and this has widened in 2012 to 8%. In six wards (Balderstone
and Kirkholt, Central Rochdale, Milkstone and Deeplish, Kingsway, Spotland and Falinge, Smallbridge and
Firgrove) only 39.6% to 48% of children achieve a good level of development in 2012. Based on the number
of 5 year olds in these six wards this equates to between 474 and 575 children. In the same wards only 43.7
– 55.7% of children achieved six points or more in communication, language and literacy assessment.
Map 4: Children achieving a good level of development at age 5
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Educational attainment
Outcomes are generally improving, but they have not increased at the same pace as that seen nationally.
This further widens the gap between outcomes for children and young people in Rochdale compared to the
rest of the country
Percentage of pupils achieving level 4 or above in both English and
Mathematics in Key Stage 2 assessment.
2010 All Pupils
2011 All Pupils
2012 All Pupils
England
73
74
79
North West
76
76
81
Statistical
75
73
80
neighbour
Rochdale
75
72
77
77% of all pupils achieve level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 assessment. This is lower than our statistical
neighbour (80%), the North West (81%) and England (79%). Between 2011 and 2012 the gap between the
Borough and both the North West and England has remained at 2% whereas the gap between the Borough
and our statistical neighbour has widened from 1% to 3%.
In 2011/12 58% of non free school meals pupils achieved 5 or more A*- C grades including English and
mathematics at GCSE level compared to 31.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals. The performance of
pupils eligible for free school meals is lower than our statistical neighbours (36.6%), the North West (33.9%)
and England (36.4%).
In 2011/12, 79.2% of pupils across Rochdale Borough achieved 5+ A*-C grades, this is lower than our
statistical neighbour (85.2%), the North West (84.2%) and England (81.8%). In the same period 52% of
pupils achieved 5+ A*-C grades including English and Maths compared to 55.9% (statistical neighbour),
58.9% North West and 59.4%, England.
In 2012 38% of Looked After pupils achieved level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 assessment. This is lower than
our statistical neighbour (40%), the North West (53%) and England (50%). In 2011 the gap between the
Borough and the North West was 12%, in 2012 the gap widened to 15%.
In 2010/11 there were 8.9% of 16-19 year olds in Rochdale Borough are classified as NEET (Not in further
education, employment or training) compared to 6% in England. The Rochdale figure fell further to 6.4%
(505) in December 2012 compared to 5% (422) within a similar area (statistical neighbour).
In 2012 there were 143 first time entrants to the Youth Justice System.
Health improvement
Childhood obesity and exercise
 10.4% of children aged 4-5 years (284) were obese in 2011/12, a decrease from the 11.4% in
2010/11. This compares to England (9.5%) and the NW (9.7%) comparator. A further 11.6% were
overweight (315), a reduction on the 12.7% level in 2010/11.

21.5% of children aged 10-11 (502) were obese in 2011/12, this was an increase compared to the
20.7% level recorded in 2010/11. This compares to England (19.2%) and the NW (19.8%)
comparator. A further 15.8% were overweight (369), a reduction on the 16.1% level in 2010/11.
A higher percentage of school aged children (5-18) participated in three hours of sport or PE at school,
18,444 children 64.9% compared to the national figure of 55,1% in 2009/10.
 72% of primary school boys (Years 4 and 6) and 63% of girls thought that they were ‘fit’ or ‘very fit’.
 89% of Secondary school boys (Years 8 and 10), and 88% of girls exercised at least once a week
hard enough to increase breathing
Teenage conception rate (rate under 18 years)
The teenage conception rate (rate under 18 years) has fallen from a rate of 55.3 per 1000 (ages 15-44
years) in 2009 to 33.2 per 1000 in 2011. The Borough rate is higher than the England rate but lower than the
North West rate.
Page 9 of 13
Figure 6: Teenage conception rates
Conception Rates for Females Aged Under 18
60.0
55.3
55.0
53.9
52.8
50.0
Rate per 1000 (age 15 to 44)
47.6
45.4
45.8
45.1
45.0
43.3
44.2
43.7
42.1
43.3
40.6
42.9
40.0
38.6
38.1
39.8
39.5
38.9
38.2
37.9
36.2
36.7
36.1
35.6
37.2
35.0
37.8
37.5
33.2
35.3
33.8
32.8
32.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
2009 Q1
2009 Q2
2009 Q3
2009 Q4
2010 Q1
2010 Q2
Source of Data: Department of Health
2010 Q3
Rochdale
2010 Q4
2011 Q1
North West
2011 Q2
2011 Q3
England
The rate of teenage mothers in the Borough has fallen from 54.9 (per 1,000 females aged 15-17 years) in
2008 to 37.5 in 2010; this rate is lower than the North West (40.6) and higher than England (35.2). In 2010
the number of teenage mothers was 152.
Oral and dental health
Children in Rochdale have poor oral and dental health.
 The weighted mean number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in 12 year olds in 2008/09 was 0.9
compared to an England average of 0.7.
 By the age of 5, 46% of Rochdale children have dental decay
 67% of children have been seen by an NHS dentist in Rochdale compared to 68.9% of children
across England.
Alcohol
Rochdale has a higher rate of alcohol specific hospital admissions in young people than that across the
North West or England as a whole.
Figure 7: Alcohol Specific Hospital Admissions under 18s (rate per 100,000)
Rochdale
North West
98.0
93.7
England
55.8
Source: NWPHO Hospital Episode Statistics 2008/09 – 2010/11and Office for national Statistics mid-year
population estimates 2008-2010.
The Health Related Behaviour Survey in 2012 found that
 7% of primary school boys (Years 4 and 6) and 3% of girls reported drinking alcohol at least 1 day in
the preceding week.
 18% of Secondary school boys (Years 8 and 10), and 24% of girls reported drinking alcohol at least
1 day in the preceding week.
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Substance misuse – drugs, alcohol and tobacco
The directly standardised rate per 100,000 (age 15-24 years) for hospital admissions for substance misuse
2008-11 was 95.6 compared to the England average of 63.5.
The Health Related Behaviour Survey in 2012 found that:
 1% of Year 8 (age 12) and 7% of Year 10 (age 15) had used some form of illegal drug within the last
month.
o 2% of Year 8 and 14% of Year 10 reported use of cannabis
o 4% of Year 10 reported use of cocaine
o 1% of Years 8 and 10 reported use of solvents
 1% of Primary school children (Years 4 and 6) reported smoking at least one cigarette in the last
seven days
 10% of Secondary school children reported smoking at least one cigarette in the last seven days
Prevention ill health
Breastfeeding initiation
In 2011/12 63.4% of local mothers breastfeed their babies compared to 62% in the NW and 74% in England.
Smoking in pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy impacts upon the health of babies in Rochdale despite great improvements
19.7% of women smoked during pregnancy in 2011/12.
Figure 8: Percentage of women smoking during pregnancy
Area
2010/11
2011/12
Rochdale Borough
20.3%
19.7%
North West
17.7%
17.3%
England
13.5%
13.2%
Hospital admissions due to injury
The rate of hospital admissions due to injury (crude rate per 100,000 aged 0-17 years) was higher in
Rochdale (1983) than the England average (1520) in 2010/11.
Families in Rochdale
The percentage of lone parent families is 9% across the Borough compared to 8% in the North West and
7.1% in England (Census 2011).

17% of Secondary school pupils in Years 8 and 10 report that they live mainly or only with their
mum.
Stronger families
The government states that there are 675 families in the Borough who have multiple and complex needs. In
identifying the first small cohort of these families (24) the following risks and vulnerabilities have been
identified.
Figure 9: Risks and Vulnerabilities identified in Families who have Multiple and Complex Needs
87.5% Are known to GMP
87.5% Are known to Education Welfare
87.5% Are known to Targeted Youth Support
83.3% Are known to Youth Offending
79.2% Are known to have Special Educational Needs *
* Of these children who have Special Educational Needs:* 4.25% are school action
* 25.0% have statements
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66.7%
58.3%
41.7%
41.7%
41.7%
37.5%
37.5%
20.8%
12.5%
* 50.0% are school action plus
Are known to Social Care (Targeted Services)
Are known to Child and Family support/ Surestart
Have taken part in the CAF process
Have been identified as committing ASB in social housing(
Are on social housing (remaining 14 tenure unknown)
Social tenants have had tenancy warnings
Social tenants have rent arrears
Families known to have received services from Young peoples substance misuse
services
Families known to have received services from adults substance misuse services
Health and lifestyles of parents
Life-expectancy- Local people can now expect to live longer. Between 1991 and 2010 in the Borough:
 Male life expectancy at birth increased from 71.4 years to 76.3 years (risen by 4.9 years)
Female life expectancy at birth increased from 76.9 years to 80.6 years (risen by 3.7 years) (APHO, 19912012).
However, people in Rochdale still live 2 years less than nationally and within the Borough a person in the
most deprived group might expect to live 7.9 years less than someone in the most affluent group (ONS
Death Extracts). This is an unfair health inequality.
A large proportion of early deaths in the Borough are caused by circulatory, lung and liver disease
(NWPHO, 2011).
Long Term Conditions (LTC) are conditions that people live with day to day and if not managed well can
mean unnecessary repeat admissions to hospital, reduced quality of life and lower well-being. The most
prevalence LTC which people in the Borough live with are coronary heart disease, diabetes, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and obesity.








Smoking rates are high, 23.7% – 1 in 4 adults locally.
1 in 4 adults (20.9%) binge drink
Almost 1 in 4 adults (24.9%) are obese
Almost 1 in 4 adults have a poor diet
Only 12% of adults take part in regular physical activity (DH Health Profiles).
Gap in life expectancy of 7.9 years for males and females between our most deprived and most
affluent groups (ONS Death Extracts).
Rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) are higher for our most deprived groups. CHD mortality rates
for males in our most deprived group are 97% higher than the rate for our most affluent group.
Employment is low with only 57.5% of adults employed (Census 2011).
Page 12 of 13
Key messages
The number of children and young people across the Borough is likely to increase. The birth rate in the most
socio-economically deprived groups is almost twice that of those in the wealthiest. This will further increase
the proportion of children vulnerable due to socio-economic deprivation.
The number and proportion of children and young people living in the poorest areas is expected to increase
in the future. We need to ensure that the gap in outcomes for those at the greatest risk of vulnerability due
to their socio-economic circumstances is reduced.
The health and well-being of children and young people is Rochdale although improving in many areas is
poorer than that seen across England as a whole:
The priority areas for action identified within this report include:
Early years focus, so that a higher proportion of children aged 5 have a good level of development when
they start Primary school. This is essential to improve the life chances of local children.
Outcomes for children living in poverty, we need to reduce gaps in attainment for children living in the
most socio-economically deprived areas of the country.
Obesity and overweight, although some improvements have been made, there needs to be a continued
focus to impact upon future adult poor health and long term conditions associated with obesity including
diabetes and heart disease.
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco, Rochdale is already seeing higher rates of hospital admissions related to the
use of drugs and alcohol. The Health Related Behaviour Survey highlights the proportions of Primary and
Secondary school children already using alcohol, drugs and tobacco
Outcomes for Looked After Children, although improving further work is needed with this vulnerable
group.
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