If you have a loved one with autism or a learning disability, you may be able to receive support to help them live well and more independently. In the UK, the first step to accessing the support available is usually a care needs assessment.
This is carried out by your local authority to decide how much help the person in question needs with their day-to-day lives.
Anyone can ask for a care needs assessment and there is no cost associated with having one. If you believe your loved one would benefit from moving into a residential care home for adults with autism, for instance, this will help you understand the options available, as well as what financial assistance you are eligible to receive.
The assessment follows a simple process and can be conducted over the phone, online or in-person. A professional like an occupational therapist or social worker from your council will ask your loved one (or you if they are unable to articulate their needs clearly) how much support they need with tasks ranging from preparing food to personal hygiene and dressing each day.
Once the assessment is completed, your council will review the findings and then share their results. This is when they will tell you what funding you can apply for to support the cost of a residential care home, for instance.
If they decide that your loved one needs support, they will produce a care and support plan. This will outline the support your loved one will receive, including how much financial assistance your council can provide towards their care.
A care needs assessment isn’t a test that you or your loved one “pass” or “fail”. It is designed to provide an accurate view of how well and how independently someone can live so that they receive the support they need to live as well as possible.