What is an assessment?
What is an assessment?
An adult care and support needs assessment is available to anyone over the age over 18 years old and is simply a discussion with you about your needs and the sort of help you could benefit from.
Throughout the whole assessment we will involve you to ensure that the process is appropriate to you, is flexible and identifies what your needs are and how these impact on your wellbeing.
If you would like to have someone to help you, like a family member or close friend whilst undergoing the assessment, this is okay. If you are not able to be fully involved in the assessment and do not have friends or family to assist you then you can be referred to an advocate (473 KB) who can help you.
The aim of the conversation is to understand:
Following this process, a decision will then be made about your eligibility for local authority funded care and support.
Throughout the whole assessment we will involve you to ensure that the process is appropriate to you, is flexible and identifies what your needs are and how these impact on your wellbeing.
If you would like to have someone to help you, like a family member or close friend whilst undergoing the assessment, this is okay. If you are not able to be fully involved in the assessment and do not have friends or family to assist you then you can be referred to an advocate (473 KB) who can help you.
What does a care and support needs assessment involve?
A needs assessment will start to consider what your care and support needs are and how they might be met. It is vital that you give as much detail as about your needs as possible. Think about all aspects of your life, such as personal care, washing, showering, dressing, going to the toilet, preparing meals, shopping. Do you struggle with any of these things? If so, what could help?The aim of the conversation is to understand:
- your strengths and the things you enjoy, as well as the areas of your life that may be difficult for you. This will include your cultural or spiritual needs
- support you to understand your situation and what you can do to reduce or delay the need for social care support
- identify needs that could be reduced, or delayed by providing short term support (re-ablement) or with advice and information
- how you manage throughout the day, for example with practical tasks such as washing, dressing and getting around your home
- establish how your needs impact on your daily life, your well-being and on your ability to achieve your outcomes
- whether you are able to get involved in activities in your local community, for example, are you struggling to attend activities that you used to enjoy and be important to you?
- whether you are able to see or speak to family and friends
- the needs of your carer if you have one
- the caring responsibilities that you might have for someone else
- what you would like to be able to achieve – your goals in life
- your health
- your safety around the house and when you are out
Following this process, a decision will then be made about your eligibility for local authority funded care and support.
Additional information
- Which? - provides further information and checklists that can used to prepare for a care and needs support assessment
- Disability rights UK