Here we establish - along with you - what your needs are. It also helps ensure that services and resources go first to those in greatest need.
When the assessment is complete, we will write a care plan that will state what support is needed to help you, and which services we can offer you. The outcome of the assessment may range from providing a simple piece of equipment to improve an individual’s independence, to a full package of care designed to secure someone’s stay in their own home.
Please bear in mind: if you are waiting for an assessment of your needs to be carried out and your circumstances change or worsen, please let us know so that we can review the urgency of your need, and if necessary give it a higher priority.
The way we prioritise your needs are based on the following priority levels:
Priority 1
We must give first priority to those whose safety is at immediate risk, and there is no one else available or willing to help. We respond to these situations immediately.
Priority 2
If your physical safety is increasingly at risk, you are struggling with all the activities of daily living and your own carers are under increasing pressure, we will respond as soon as we can after priority 1.
Priority 3
You may be asking for help because:
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your family or care network may require support
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your personal care needs require the provision of some assistance, though you can manage most things.
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you need some basic equipment to help maintain independence
We will undertake an assessment as soon as we can, but you may have to wait some time. We will try to give you an estimate of how long the wait is likely to be at the time of your first contact.
You may find it useful to download our leaflet (PDF, 176KB),| which provides more information on how we carry out an assessment of needs for community care services.