{"id":2884,"date":"2024-03-21T09:48:33","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T09:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/?post_type=article&#038;p=2884"},"modified":"2026-08-22T11:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T11:56:32","slug":"assessment-of-needs","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/assessment-of-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Assessment of needs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-1oleemjobb8\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-1oleemjobb8\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/1OLEEmJOBB8?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/1OLEEmJOBB8?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/handbook.scot\\\/sds-handbook\\\/article\\\/assessment-of-needs\\\/#arve-youtube-1oleemjobb8\",\"@type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/1OLEEmJOBB8?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2>What is a social care assessment?<\/h2>\n<p>A social care assessment in Scotland is a discussion between you, anyone who helps you, and your council. It is used to understand your current situation, what is important to you and what support you may need.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes it is called \u2018an assessment of needs,\u2019 a \u2018needs assessment\u2019 or just an \u2018assessment\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>You have the legal right to request an assessment, even if you are not sure if you would qualify for social care support through your council.<\/p>\n<p>It is the responsibility of the local authority (council) to carry out the assessment. This is usually the social work department, although in some areas, they will organise for another organisation to do this, for example a Carers\u2019 Centre.<\/p>\n<h2>What does a good assessment look like?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A good assessment should focus on what is important to you, and what you need support to help you achieve. This is known as your personal outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some examples of personal outcomes could be things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">staying safe<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">improving your health<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">getting out and about<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">being able to carry on going to college.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An assessment should not just focus on what you cannot do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It should be about finding out what you need support with, and what a good life looks like for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The person doing the assessment should ask you about what is working well in your life, and any supports you already have.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As assessment usually takes place in person in your home, or in hospital if you are in hospital. It might take place over the phone or on a video call.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The person doing the assessment should take your preferences about where and how the assessment takes place into account, but they may prefer to meet you in person to help them understand your circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Can I get help with the assessment?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is a good idea to get someone to help you with the assessment, like a family member or friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If a friend or family member usually supports you in your life, they have the right to involved in the assessment too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If there is no one who can help you, you can ask for help from an advocacy organisation who can support you to make your views known. You can search for a\u00a0<strong>local advocacy organisation<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.siaa.org.uk\/find-an-advocate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here,<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or ask\u00a0<strong>Clara<\/strong>\u00a0to find one for you (look for the button below to click and chat from any page!)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>How do I prepare for a social care assessment?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important to prepare for the assessment. This will help the person doing your assessment understand your situation and everything you need support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are local organisations called Independent Support Organisations who can help you prepare for an assessment. It is a good idea to speak to them before you have your assessment so they can help you prepare for what you want to say.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this video, a couple share how they got help from their local Independent Support Organisation with the assessment:<\/p>\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-uh5oocbu4-0\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-uh5oocbu4-0\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/uH5OOCBU4-0?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/uH5OOCBU4-0?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/handbook.scot\\\/sds-handbook\\\/article\\\/assessment-of-needs\\\/#arve-youtube-uh5oocbu4-0\",\"@type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/uH5OOCBU4-0?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find the details for your local Independent Organisation using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find Help<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> search tool, or just ask <strong>Clara<\/strong> to find one for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is also a good idea to gather information from other people, for example, people like your doctor, to help explain what you need support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You also might find it helpful to read the next article: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/thinking-about-what-you-need-support-with\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thinking about what you need support with<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>How do I request an assessment?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You should contact your local council\u2019s social work department and ask for an assessment of needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find the contact details for your local council&#8217;s social work department <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mygov.scot\/local-council-website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on this website<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can contact your council yourself, or ask a family member, friend, or someone else to do this for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What happens after assessment?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When the assessment has been completed, you should get a copy of what has been written down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your council will decide if you are eligible for formal social care support through them, based on rules they use to decide who can get support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find out more about this on the page: <\/span><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/can-i-get-social-care-support\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can I get social care support?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are eligible for support, the next step is to work with them to create a support plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Next steps<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Find out more about preparing for an assessment on the next page: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/thinking-about-what-you-need-support-with\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Thinking about what you need support with<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An assessment of needs is a discussion between you, anyone who helps you, and your council, to understand your current situation and what you need support with. Find out more about what it involves and how to prepare for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2884","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3559,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2884\/revisions\/3559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}