What is it?
A needs’ assessment considers your current living arrangements and adapts, recommends ways or provides aids or placements to make the life of a carer more comfortable. This may include help so you can continue.
The needs assessment may result in helping you with daily living tasks, for example:
- getting in and out of bed
- dressing
- washing
- going to the toilet
- help with eating
- preparing drinks and snacks
- shopping
This may be needed because of:
- disability
- mental health problems
- frailty
- illness or convalescence
Some people are more likely to have "social care" needs than others, for example:
- older people who are becoming dependent on others due to frailty
- people with mental health needs
- people with learning disabilities
- people with sensory/physical disabilities
- people who are socially isolated
- people with dementia
Who gets involved in the assessment?
With your help, a social worker will look at how you manage your day to day life. This will include what your needs and wishes are, as well as those of your carer(s) and what services we could arrange to help you. The assessment process will also include your Occupational Therapist or nurse if you have one and your GP if necessary. The level of assessment will depend on the needs you have.
You can also involve your carer(s), or anyone else you would like to be there with you. If you need an interpreter, because your first language is not English, this will be arranged.
How long will the assessment process take?
When you ask for help we will usually book an appointment to see you within the next six weeks. If we need more information after this appointment, ask us and we can provide it for you. If you need emergency help, we will see you straight away.
What happened after the assessment?
If your assessed needs fall within our Eligibility Criteria, your social care worker will agree with you what services we will provide. You will be sent a written Care Plan, which will say what services are to be provided, and from what date they will start.
If you have needs that fall outside our Eligibility Criteria your Care Manager will consider and evaluate the risks to independence that result from these needs in the immediate and longer-term.
Your Care Manager will be able to provide information to you to help you make alternative arrangements to meet these needs, for example, from private providers or voluntary organisations. They will also provide you with information about the provision of low intensity support schemes such as Safe and Sound or support schemes provided by the Supporting People Service.
When determining the most appropriate level of support to individuals we will need to ensure our resources are used cost-effectively. Services will be provided to meet eligible needs, having taken account of individual circumstances, which are the most economic.