Care needs assessments

What this is used for

A needs assessment is used to identify what your care and support needs are and how these impact on your well-being.

The assessment is really important to help us understand:

• Your strengths and abilities
• What's working well
• What's not working so well
• If you need any help

The assessment will start to consider how your care needs might be met. This could include identifying how preventative services could help such as:

• devices to open jars and tins more easily - see Help to stay safe and independent in your home with the help of equipment and adaptations for our free equipment from Kirklees Council
• assistive technology to keep you safe - see Carephone Home Safety Service
• or information about support available in the community might meet your need
• it will also identify if you have a higher level of need where you may need help in your own home or care in a care home.

How you are assessed

Assessments can happen face to face in your own home or in a hospital. Some assessments take place over the telephone.

You can ask for a:

• Self assessment - this is where you choose to complete the form by yourself. We will send the form to you, so you can fill it in and return it to us.
• Assisted assessment - this is where you would like someone to help you complete the form. This person does not have to be from Kirklees Council, it could be a friend, neighbour, family member, carer or advocate.
• Complex assessment - this is where you ask Kirklees Council to complete your assessment on your behalf with your involvement.

Mental Capacity

In some circumstances, we may also need to assess your ability to make certain decisions for yourself (your mental capacity). This is so that we can make sure that you are able to consent to the support we are offering, or that you understand the risks if you refuse any support.

Support during the assessment

You can ask an advocate (representative) to help you.

Care Act Advocacy

• Cloverleaf Advocacy
  • We can refer anyone who is undergoing a social care assessment or review that has substantial difficulty in understanding the process and no appropriate individual to represent them, to a Care Act Advocate. Cloverleaf provide this service on behalf of Kirklees Council.

If you find it easier to talk to us in another language, you can ask us to bring an interpreter when we see you. Please let us know if you would like us to provide information in your preferred format, for example large print or Braille.

Preparing for an assessment

Before your care needs assessment you and your carer may want to prepare by thinking about what works well in your life and what needs to change. It may be helpful to do this with a family member, friend or someone else you trust. We know that you understand your situation and your network of support best and that sometimes small changes can help

Think about your personal circumstances including:

• Your day to day activities (managing nutrition, shopping, laundry, cleaning)
• Your personal care (personal hygiene, toilet needs, being appropriately clothed)
• Your mobility (getting out and about, falls, transfers)
• Previous services you may have received;
• Your home and living situation (being able to make use of your home safely, being able to maintain a habitable home environment)
• Your physical health and wellbeing
• Your medication
• Your relationships and social activities
• Involvement in work, education or training
• Your emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including public transport and recreational facilities or services
• Carrying out any caring responsibilities the adult has for a child
• Your safety and risk issues
• The current support you receive (from friends and family as well as social care or health care services)

Step 1 – Eligibility for support

All councils in England use the same national level of care and support needs to work out if you qualify for support from us.

These guidelines are set nationally by the government and are known as the eligibility criteria.

• Check your Eligibility for care and support from the council. This will tell you if you may benefit from completing an Adult Social Care needs assessment.
• See Carer's assessment and eligibility for support if you are a carer.

Other ways to request an assessment

You can request an assessment over the phone

Further information

• NHS Choices care and support guide provides national guidance assessing your care and support needs.