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The Purpose of Assessment

Important to know

This section of the guidance applies to all people from the age of 18 and adult carers. For information on the assessment of:

  1. Children who are not yet 18 but are undergoing the transition from children's services to adult Care and Support;
  2. Adult carers of children who are not yet 18; and
  3. Young carers of adults and children undergoing transition

Please see the Transition for Children and Carers to Adult Social Care section of this resource.

The assessment of need is a very important function of the Local Authority. Not only is it the gateway to Care and Support, but it is also a critical intervention in its own right. It can help people to understand their strengths and capabilities within the context of their situation, the support available to them in the community and through other networks and services as well as exploring some of the ways that the Local Authority may be able to help (such as through prevention services or signposting).

Under the Care Act the purpose of an assessment is:

  1. To provide a full picture of the person and/or carers needs, with a particular focus on the impact that those needs have on their Wellbeing and the outcomes that they want to achieve in their day-to-day life; so that
  2. The Local Authority can put in place appropriate, proportionate and timely arrangements for that person and/ or carer in order to meet their needs and promote individual Wellbeing. This response might range from offering guidance and information to arranging for services to meet the needs.
Important to know

Decisions about eligibility for Local Authority support cannot be made without having first carried out an assessment.

The assessment supports the determination about eligibility and gives an understanding about how different provisions may assist in meeting needs or achieving outcomes, but it is not the method by which either is decided.