Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

38 A best interests assessment is an assessment of whether the relevant person meets the best interests requirement.

39(1) In carrying out a best interests assessment, the assessor must comply with the duties in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) The assessor must consult the managing authority of the relevant hospital or care home.

(3) The assessor must have regard to all of the following—
(a) the conclusions which the mental health assessor has notified to the best interests assessor in accordance with paragraph 36(b);
(b) any relevant needs assessment;
(c) any relevant care plan.

(4) A relevant needs assessment is an assessment of the relevant person's needs which—
(a) was carried out in connection with the relevant person being accommodated in the relevant hospital or care home, and
(b) was carried out by or on behalf of—
(i) the managing authority of the relevant hospital or care home, or
(ii) the supervisory body.

(5) A relevant care plan is a care plan which—
(a) sets out how the relevant person's needs are to be met whilst he is accommodated in the relevant hospital or care home, and
(b) was drawn up by or on behalf of—
(i) the managing authority of the relevant hospital or care home, or
(ii) the supervisory body.

(6) The managing authority must give the assessor a copy of—
(a) any relevant needs assessment carried out by them or on their behalf, or
(b) any relevant care plan drawn up by them or on their behalf.

(7) The supervisory body must give the assessor a copy of—
(a) any relevant needs assessment carried out by them or on their behalf, or
(b) any relevant care plan drawn up by them or on their behalf.

(8) The duties in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) do not affect any other duty to consult or to take the views of others into account.