Your assessment

If you have a disability or illness that makes it difficult to manage day-to-day life, you have the right to ask for an assessment of your needs. Carers also have the right to an assessment of their own needs, separate from the person they care for.

An assessment is a conversation - it looks at your circumstances, what you can already manage, what support you get from family or friends, and what you might need from social care services. It covers your social, physical, emotional and health needs, including any cultural or religious needs.

We use a Single Shared Assessment, which means we record your information once and share it with the people involved in your care, rather than asking you to repeat yourself to different services. You will always be asked for your consent before information is shared.

You will be offered a copy of your assessment to keep.

Who can carry out an assessment?

Assessments in Orkney are carried out by nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation officers and housing staff. Where possible, the assessment will be done by the person who knows you best or is best placed to assess your particular needs. Carers may also be assessed by staff from Orkney Carers Centre.

Who is eligible for services?

We use eligibility criteria to make sure our resources reach those who need them most, while also recognising where lower-level support can make a real difference. There are four levels of need:

• Critical - there are major risks to your independence, health or wellbeing that need immediate or imminent action.
• Substantial - there are significant risks to your independence, health or wellbeing that need immediate or imminent action.
• Moderate - there are some risks to your independence, health or wellbeing, and some need for alternative support or services.
• Low - there are some quality-of-life issues but low risks to independence, health or wellbeing, with very limited need for social care services.

We give priority to people assessed as critical or substantial. If you are assessed as moderate or low, we will provide information, advice and signposting to other services that may be able to help, including voluntary and community organisations, welfare benefits, health, housing, transport and leisure.

What happens after your assessment?

If you are eligible for services, we will discuss with you how you would like your support to be managed. Under Self-Directed Support legislation, you have a choice over how your eligible needs are met. Your options are:

• A direct payment to buy your own support or pay a personal support worker
• Asking the Council or another agency to manage your support budget on your behalf
• Having services arranged by the Council
• A mixture of some or all of the above

Services that may be available include home care, day services, respite care, residential care and equipment or adaptations for your home.

If you need services that involve a charge, you will be asked for information for a financial assessment. This will tell you how much, if anything, you will need to pay. You can choose not to take part in the financial assessment, but if you do not, you will be charged the maximum amount for services you receive.

If you disagree with your assessment or the eligibility decision, you have the right to make a complaint. [link to complaints procedure]

Support for carers

A carer is anyone who is unpaid and provides support to a relative, partner or friend because of age, disability, illness or mental health. All carers are entitled to a carer's assessment or support plan.

The assessment considers the impact of caring on you - including the risk of your caring role breaking down, what support you need to continue caring, and what you need to maintain your own health and wellbeing.

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