{"id":2998,"date":"2024-03-22T15:02:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/?post_type=article&#038;p=2998"},"modified":"2025-08-06T15:40:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T15:40:56","slug":"assessment-of-your-childs-needs","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/assessment-of-your-childs-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Assessment of your child&#8217;s needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XnWwxYErTCU?si=3ViEoR3PMyWvdUIm\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If your child has a disability, long-term health condition or other needs, then you are likely to require additional help with family life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To find out if your family can get formal support through your local council, the social work department will do an assessment of your child\u2019s needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is sometimes called a Section 23 Assessment, because this is the name that is used in the law about support for children in Scotland.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What does an assessment involve?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A social worker will meet with you and your child and ask questions about what they need support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The assessment does not have to be face to face or in your home. It may be over the phone or in a private place where your child feels comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If your child has capacity (if they can understand the questions asked) they will be included in all discussions, and their opinions must be taken into account.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If they cannot understand the questions asked, the social worker may ask to use some other methods of communication to try to get their input and opinions. An example of other methods might be Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At all stages, you and your child must be included, and your opinions should feel valued.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The person doing the assessment will ask you about your child, what life is like for them and your family, and what they need support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It can be difficult talking about this, especially with someone you do not know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important to be honest with the social worker about your child and your family\u2019s needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The social worker will only be able to get you the help you are looking for if they have a full understanding of what difficulties you may be facing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How can my child and I prepare for an assessment?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In an assessment, you might be asked what support you are looking for, for your child and family. This is a difficult question if you do not know what is available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is really useful to prepare for an assessment by thinking beforehand about what your child needs support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every child is different so the things they need support with will be different. But, it may include things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" 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\">having difficulties at school \u2013 for example, preparing for school in the morning, in the classroom, at break times, doing homework, or at home after school<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" 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=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">difficulties moving<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" 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=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">difficulties at home if your home is not set up well for their needs<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" 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=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">difficulties in social settings<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" 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=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">feeling isolated.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is helpful to discuss with your child, your family and anyone else involved in your child\u2019s life about what they need support with. Find more tips and advice on this page: <a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/working-out-what-your-child-needs-support-with\/\">Working out what your child needs support with<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What happens after an assessment?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After the assessment, the social worker will write a report summarising what they have heard and ask you to check it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you do not agree with what has been written in the assessment, you can ask for it to be reviewed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The council will use the assessment document to decide if your child is eligible for formal, funded support through them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether your child is eligible or not, your council should also signpost you to other services that may be of use to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If your child is eligible for support, the next step is to create a plan. Find out more here: <a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/your-childs-plan\/\">Your Child&#8217;s Plan<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Support for you<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caring for a child who has additional needs can be tiring and stressful. It can also be hard on other members of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When doing the assessment, the social worker will also ask about your home life and who is involved in supporting your child. They are not being nosy \u2013 they are asking to see if you might benefit from support yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is likely that the social worker (or someone else) will do an assessment of your needs as a carer. If there are any other children at home who support your child they will do an assessment of their needs as a young carer too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These assessments are called an Adult Carer Support Plan and a Young Carer Statement. You can find out more about this process here: <a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/adult-carer-support-plan-young-carer-statement\/\">Adult Carer Support Plan\/ Young Carer Statement<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Next steps<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Have a look at the next page to help you prepare for the assessment: <a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/working-out-what-your-child-needs-support-with\/\">Working out what your child needs support with<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You may find it helpful to speak to a local Independent Support Organisation or Carers\u2019 Centre. They can help you think about what you and your child need support with, and through the assessment process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Independent Support 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Carers\u2019 Centre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carersnet.org\/what-support-can-i-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To find out if your child can get formal, funded support through your council, an assessment will take place. Find out what happens in an assessment and how to prepare for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2998","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2998","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":8,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3538,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2998\/revisions\/3538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}