Needs assessment for adults
Assessment of need
To help us understand how we may be able to help you, we must carry out an assessment of need. This helps us decide what your needs are and how quickly we should attend to them. We also provide information and advice, even if we decide you don't need a service.
You or someone on your behalf (eg doctor, carer or friend) can contact us:
- in person at one of our One Stop Receptions
- by phoning or writing to Social Services for Adults
If someone contacts us on your behalf, we will try to make sure that you agree and that you wish to continue with the request for help.
- You will be asked to give brief details of your situation
- We are trained to receive your request positively, confidentially and without discrimination
- We will be able to give you advice and help or, where this isn't possible, direct you to the most likely person or organisation that can help
- If necessary, we can arrange for an interpreter
Sometimes we come back to you asking for a few more details as this will help find you the most suitable team or service.
If you or someone you know is in hospital and needs assistance to leave once they are better, you should contact Ward Staff who will put you in touch with our Care Management team based in Mayday (See also Help Leaving Hospital).
Specialist assessment
In some cases you will be referred to a specialist team for a more detailed assessment. If this happens, don't worry as we will explain what this means at the time.
Carers, whether they are adults or children, also have the right to their own separate assessment or as part of the assessment for the person they care for.
While we try to assess everyone's needs, we cannot guarantee that we will provide a service to meet those needs, as this will depend on whether you or someone you care for meets the threshold for help as set out in our guidance.
Where it is needed, a Care Manager, an Occupational Therapist or a Health Professional will visit you at home so that we can complete the assessment of need. A member of staff will contact you to make sure that this takes place at a convenient time for you and anyone else who you may like to attend. You are welcome to have a carer, family member or friend present.
What we need to know
The assessment is an opportunity for you to tell us about the difficulties you are facing, and to discuss positive ways of dealing with them. The aim is to reach an agreement about whether we provide services to meet your assessed needs.
As far as possible all your needs, including health needs, will be taken into account, together with your cultural, language and religious preferences when deciding on the best support for you. If we are unable to help you directly, we will put you in touch with other organisations who can help.
If we can help, once we have collected all the information we need, we will agree with you about what we can do to help you with your difficulties. We will then confirm in writing any arrangements that are made on your behalf including the details of any charges we will be setting for these services.
Costs
The assessment is made free of charge.
At the time of assessment or very soon afterwards we will carry out your individual financial assessment to let you know how much you may have to pay towards the cost of any support you agree to receive. See 'Charging policy' for more information.
Alternatively, you may want to have more personal control over the support you receive and may consider receiving direct payments from us. Direct payment is where, after an assessment of need and individual financial assessment, we agree with you that you may be better placed to organise your own care. We will then provide an allowed sum of money to go towards the cost of the care you purchase for yourself.
Specialist help is available to help you make an informed decision about this before you commit yourself. See 'Social services - direct payments' for more detailed information.
Some people may choose to organise and pay for their own services following the assessment and we may be able to offer help and advice on how you access them.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Social Services for Adults
- Telephone
- 020 8726 6500
- Minicom
- 020 8760 5797
- Referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
- Address
- Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS
