A social worker who works with the child or young person, their family and any other key people, does an assessment of their needs. They use the assessment to identify the social needs of the child, as well as any services or equipment that may be required.
A social worker often takes on the role of an advocate, liasing with other agencies for the parents or the child or young person. They also have responsibilities set out by law where children are in public care or there are issues of child protection.
Any disabled young person, their parent or carer may ask for an "assessment of need". The Children with a Disability Team do this. If you want help from them you should first contact a Gateway to Care for information or advice.
The help or advice could be about financial help with living with a disability, or equipment to help the disabled child or their carer. Or it might be able to provide help to give the parent or carer a break from caring, help with getting around or help with transport, and so on.
Other kinds of assessment
Diagnostic assessment
A family doctor, hospital consultant or other health professional do these assessments to diagnose the child’s disability or condition.
Ongoing medical assessments
A family doctor, hospital consultant or school nurse do these assessments to monitor the child’s health and development.
Educational assessment
These assessments are often carried out at school, perhaps by an Education Psychologist, to see what educational provision and support the child needs.
Financial assessment
The people who do financial assessments do them to look at your financial situation to see if you qualify for benefits or grants.
Parent or carer’s assessment
You can ask your social worker for an assessment of your own needs as the parent or unpaid carer of a disabled child or young person. Find out more
For more information about help for disabled children or their families please read the KIE Information Guide. There is an excellent website to help young disabled children and their families at www.earlysupport.org.uk It includes information about childcare, finance, health, education, social care, assessment for services, the main disabilities which affect children and so on.
