Lincolnshire's context
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) provides a picture of current and future health needs of the local population, by collating a range of evidence in one place. (Source: LHIH, 2026).
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is England’s official measure of relative deprivation, combining factors like income, health, education, housing, and crime to rank neighbourhoods from most to least deprived. The IMD 2025 data for Lincolnshire shows clear inequalities: urban centres and coastal communities are among the most deprived, while many rural areas are less deprived. This helps target support where it’s needed most.
For programmes like Best Start Family Hubs, focusing outreach and services in the most deprived areas is key to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children.
Find out more about the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
Strategic context at a glance
In Lincolnshire, child poverty has risen sharply, with some districts among the highest in the East Midlands. Nearly one in three children in Lincoln (30.5%), Boston (30.8%), and East Lindsey (30.4%) were living in poverty. Across the county, this means between five and nine children in every classroom are growing up in low income households.(Source: Department for Work and Pensions, 2024)
- Current performance - currently 66.4% of children in Lincolnshire achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of their Reception year, and this is 50% for those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
- Large, rural county - Lincolnshire is England's second-largest county, with 72% rural land and nearly half the population living in rural areas - creating unique access and service delivery challenges.
- Demographic shift - the early years population is shrinking, with birth rates falling by 30% over the past decade. This will reduce overall demand but increase pressure to adapt services for sustainability.
- Rising Complexity - despite fewer young children, their needs are intensifying
- Childcare support - Currently 626 early years childcare providers. Lincolnshire maintains a strong and diverse childcare market, with almost 15,000 children accessing funded entitlements and 82% of parents reporting they can secure the childcare they need.