Assessment

An assessment is a structured information gathering process, used to determine:

• The support that a person may need to help them live their day-to-day life; and
• Whether or not they meet the National Eligibility Criteria for the Local Authority to provide this.

The type of assessment offered to a person will depend on their individual circumstances and should be proportionate in nature. The names given to an assessment may vary in different Local Authorities but the purpose is the same. Some examples of different assessments are: Initial Assessment, Assessment to Promote Independence, Community Care Assessment, Reablement Assessment, Self Assessment, Health Assessment (Mental Health Services).

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must:

• Carry out an assessment of anyone who appears to require care and support, regardless of their likely Eligibility for state-funded care;
• Focus the assessment on the person’s needs and how they impact on their Well Being, and the Outcomes they want to achieve
• Involve the person in the assessment and, where appropriate, their carer or someone else they nominate
• Provide access to an Independent Advocate to support the person’s involvement in the assessment if required
• Consider other things besides care services that can contribute to the desired outcomes (e.g. preventive services, community support); an
• Use the new national minimum threshold to judge eligibility for publicly funded care and support.