Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

9 Assessment of an adult's needs for care and support

(1) Where it appears to a local authority that an adult may have needs for care and support, the authority must assess--
(a) whether the adult does have needs for care and support, and
(b) if the adult does, what those needs are.

(2) An assessment under subsection (1) is referred to in this Part as a 'needs assessment'.

(3) The duty to carry out a needs assessment applies regardless of the authority's view of--
(a) the level of the adult's needs for care and support, or
(b) the level of the adult's financial resources.

(4) A needs assessment must include an assessment of--
(a) the impact of the adult's needs for care and support on the matters specified in section 1(2),
(b) the outcomes that the adult wishes to achieve in day-to-day life, and
(c) whether, and if so to what extent, the provision of care and support could contribute to the achievement of those outcomes.
[Further provisions made in sub-sections (5) to (7) - see source document]

10 Assessment of a carer's needs for support

(1) Where it appears to a local authority that a carer may have needs for support (whether currently or in the future), the authority must assess—
(a) whether the carer does have needs for support (or is likely to do so in the future), and
(b) if the carer does, what those needs are (or are likely to be in the future).

(2) An assessment under subsection (1) is referred to in this Part as a “carer's assessment”.

(3) “Carer” means an adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult (an “adult needing care”); but see subsections (9) and (10).

(4) The duty to carry out a carer's assessment applies regardless of the authority's view of—
(a) the level of the carer's needs for support, or
(b) the level of the carer's financial resources or of those of the adult needing care.

(5) A carer's assessment must include an assessment of—
(a) whether the carer is able, and is likely to continue to be able, to provide care for the adult needing care,
(b) whether the carer is willing, and is likely to continue to be willing, to do so,
(c) the impact of the carer's needs for support on the matters specified in section 1(2),
(d) the outcomes that the carer wishes to achieve in day-to-day life, and
(e) whether, and if so to what extent, the provision of support could contribute to the achievement of those outcomes.
[Further provisions made in sub-sections (6) to (12) - see source document]

[S.11/S.12 provide further detail.]

An 'assessment' must always be appropriate and proportionate. It may come in different formats and can be carried out in various ways, including but not limited to:
- a face-to-face assessment between the person and an assessor, whose professional role and qualifications may vary depending on the circumstances, but who must always be appropriately trained and have the right skills and knowledge
- a supported self-assessment, which should use similar assessment materials as used in other forms of needs or carers' assessments, but where the person completes the assessment themselves and the local authority assures itself that it is an accurate reflection of the person's needs (for example, by consulting with other relevant professionals and people who know the person with their consent)
- an online or phone assessment, which can be a proportionate way of carrying out assessments (for example where the person's needs are less complex or where the person is already known to the local authority and it is carrying out an assessment following a change in their needs or circumstances)
- a joint assessment, where relevant agencies work together to avoid the person undergoing multiple assessments (including assessments in a prison, where local authorities may need to put particular emphasis on cross-agency cooperation and sharing of expertise)
- a combined assessment, where an adult's assessment is combined with a carer's assessment and/or an assessment relating to a child so that interrelated needs are properly captured and the process is as efficient as possible.

6.5 The aim of the assessment is to identify what needs the person may have and what outcomes they are looking to achieve to maintain or improve their wellbeing. The outcome of the assessment is to provide a full picture of the individual's needs so that a local authority can provide an appropriate response at the right time to meet the level of the person's needs. This might range from offering guidance and information to arranging for services to meet those needs. The assessment may be the only contact the local authority has with the individual at that point in time, so it is critical that the most is made of this opportunity.

This is what a local authority does to find out the information so that it can decide whether a person needs care and support to help them live their day-to-day lives. A carer can also have an assessment.

The process of working out what your needs are. A community care assessment looks at how you are managing everyday activities such as looking after yourself, household tasks and getting out and about. You are entitled to an assessment if you have social care needs, and your views are central to this process.

A local authority needs assessment (or care and support needs assessment) focuses on the eligibility criteria set out in the Care Act. A care provider may also carry out their own assessment to identify the details of a person's wishes and needs for care and support.

Where does the term "Community care assessment" come from? Assessments can be referred to as assessment, needs assessment, local authority needs assessment, care and support needs assessment, Care Act assessment (plus specific terms such as combined assessment, joint assessment, mental capacity assessment, OT assessment etc) - see link below - but 'Community care assessment' doesn't appear anywhere other than here.