Needs Assessment by Social Services
Once you, or someone on your behalf, has contacted Social Services, we will need to assess your needs before we can arrange services for you.
An assessment involves you (the user) and a trained member of our staff. You may also want to involve someone who looks after you (your carer) or someone to speak for you. The assessment can also include other people, such as your GP.
In your assessment we will ask you about:
- What you think your needs are
- What problems you are facing
- What help you have now
- What help you think you may need
We will use this information to decide which services to arrange for you. If your needs are straightforward, the assessment will be straightforward too. If your needs are more complicated, your assessment will be more detailed. If necessary, we can arrange services to meet your needs while your assessment is completed.
Note that not everyone is entitled to an assessment, and not everyone will be able to receive services from Social Services after having an assessment. We want to help as many people as possible, but there are many demands on social services and we have to make sure that our services go to those who need them most.
Whether you qualify for a particular service will depend on your level of need. We will tell you if you are not eligible for a service and will offer advice and information about services locally which may meet your needs.
Standards for assessments
Assessments of need are carried out under the legislation of the NHS and Community Care Act 1991 and the Carers Recognition and Services Act (1995 and 2000).
Before your assessment you can expect:
- To be told how long the assessment will take. Usually this takes about 10 working days. Detailed assessments may take longer
- To be given the names of the people in your assessment, and to be told why they are involved
- To have the assessment arranged at your convenience
During your assessment:
- We will consider your views and wishes
- You can have a friend, relative or someone else to help you or speak for you if you wish
- We will arrange for an interpreter if you do not speak English or if you use sign language
- We will consider your carer's views
- The people involved in your assessment will work together effectively
- We will give you information about the services that are available and any charges involved
After your assessment, we will tell you:
- Which services you will get, who will provide them and where and when they will be provided
- The name of the person who is your social worker or is responsible for managing your care
If you would like to apply for an assessment, please contact us using the details on the right.
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