Community care

A fair assessment of needs

We will carry out an assessment of your needs (often referred to as a needs assessment) in a professional and sensitive manner.

The level of assessment will be tailored to your needs, either 'simple' or 'comprehensive'. We will keep the process as straight forward as possible. It may be necessary to undertake 'multi-disciplinary assessments' where your needs are complex. It will be necessary for these assessments to be co-ordinated across agencies (for example Healthcare Trusts, GPs and voluntary organisations). Before we obtain or share assessment information we will ask for your permission in writing.

To request an assessment of needs use the Online contact  form.

Summary of need

Once an assessment is completed, a 'summary of need' will be drawn up, recording needs discussed and agreed with you during the assessment process. This will form the basis of any services provided as part of your Care Plan. 

Your Care Plan

If, as a result of your assessment, it is agreed that services need to be arranged to help meet your needs, a Care Plan will be drawn up and agreed with you. You will receive a copy of your Care Plan, setting out what services will be arranged for you through Social Services. 

The needs of carers

Support for carers is given a high priority. We greatly value the work done by carers, but will not take it for granted when carrying out assessments.

The needs of carers will always be taken into account in the assessment of the person they provide care for. By 'carer' we mean someone (a relative or friend) who is providing unpaid support to help meet a person's care needs.

Carers providing or expecting to provide 'significant and regular' support can now have a separate 'carer's assessment' . This right is underwritten by the 1995 Carers Act. Where a carer's assessment identifies significant pressures on a carer, it may lead to an increase in the services we can arrange, and so relieve the carer.

Re-assessment and review

If you feel at any stage that your needs (or those of a person you are providing care for) have changed, you can request a re-assessment or review by contacting your local Social Services office.

Choice

If you are considering moving into a residential home , our staff will always ensure that you receive a copy of the information sheet which gives a list of the care homes in Calderdale - Directory of care schemes .

Concerns

If you are unhappy after discussion with the Care Assessor about the outcome or content of the assessment, then contact the Team Manager who will discuss this with you and could arrange for a re-assessment to be carried out by another person or team.