What is A Needs Assessment?
Answer: A needs assessment is an evaluation of the strengths and needs of a person or group, usually as it relates to social services or social welfare. It is often used to help determine what services should be offered to someone, or whether someone is in need of assistance from social services.
In the United Kingdom, a needs assessment is required for any elderly person who wishes to apply for state-funded home care. The assessment is carried out by a social worker, and takes into account the person’s physical and mental health, their living arrangements, and their ability to carry out everyday tasks such as washing and dressing themselves. Based on the results of the assessment, the social worker will decide whether the person qualifies for home care and what type of care they may need.
A needs assessment can also be used to determine the level of care a person with an illness will require. For example, if someone is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy it may take several years for them to reach the stage where they are bedridden and will require 24/7 care. During this time, they may only need supervision once or twice a week to ensure they are safe and their living conditions are adequate. This would be included in the person’s needs assessment.
The aim of a needs assessment is to determine what support someone may need, rather than trying to predict all possible future scenarios. A needs assessment can help decide whether extra care should be provided for an elderly person, or whether the person is capable of living independently and would benefit from social services support such as counselling.
The purpose of a needs assessment is not to determine whether someone qualifies for state benefits, or whether they are entitled to any specific services. There may be other factors involved which mean an elderly person doesn’t qualify for home care (for example, if they have a pet which would make it impossible to provide home care), but this does not mean they don’t need any support.
Many social workers carry out needs assessments as part of their job, but the term is also used more widely to describe an evaluation of a person or group’s needs in general. For example, a politician might decide that there is a need for social housing to be built in their area, or that more funding is required for carers.