The central part of the Hard Edges research involved interrogating a range of datasets, both administrative and survey-based, to examine the characteristics and experiences of people in touch with services and experiencing combinations of those issues. It presented new estimates of national numbers with different combinations of problems, of their demographic and geographic profile, background circumstances, current quality of life, service costs and outcomes.
Although the original intention had been to look UK- wide, in practice the datasets used were largely specific to England. It became apparent that there was considerable interest in the possibility of conducting a similar study in Scotland, where the relevant datasets are distinct, and where there are also important differences in the policy and service delivery context.
At the same time, Lankelly Chase and other partner organisations became concerned that the original Hard Edges study was focused on a particular coalescence of disadvantages that tend to predominantly affect men. A separate study was commissioned to broaden understanding of SMD issues beyond the original three domains in order to cast light on any gendered differences in the manifestation of SMD – and the experiences of women in particular. In effect that study3 widened the scope of SMD to encompass mental ill- health and violence and abuse, while also placing more
