What is a Needs Assessment and how can Technology help?

“Over 400,000 People Waiting for Adult Social Care Assessments or Services”. 

Recent surveys by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have shown that as of 31 March 2024, there were 418,029 individuals waiting for an assessment, the start of care or direct payments, or a review of their care plan. For those of us working in the field, this statistic is not surprising.

As a Practice Manager, I was responsible for assigning assessments to social care workers. While trying to manage the influx of referrals, I had to be mindful of the workload on staff. When I completed assessments myself, it could sometimes take several hours, particularly in more complex cases. The time-consuming nature of these assessments is further heightened by the need for careful analysis and frequent updates, all of which take valuable time away from direct engagement. Assessments must be accurate to ensure informed decision-making, as the information we gather is used to advocate for individuals and make essential recommendations for their care and support.

An assessment, often referred to as a Needs Assessment, determines either an individual’s care and support needs or a carer’s need for support. The assessment is a critical intervention which supports a local authority to determine whether a person has a need for care and support to help them live their day-to-day life. The objective is to encourage the individual to have as much independence and control as possible.

The goal is to identify personal outcomes, existing needs, and the impact on well-being. Using a strength-based approach, workers are encouraged to focus on an individual’s strengths and abilities rather than solely on limitations. It encourages them to identify and build on existing strength, such as skills, knowledge, values, and social connections.

Traditional assessments are time-consuming and labour-intensive, requiring extensive data collection and analysis. The process involves more than just typing; it includes reviewing notes, gathering additional information, and ensuring that the assessment is comprehensive and clear.

The demand for adult social care services continues to rise across local authorities. Efficient case management is the backbone of effective social work, and technology has brought significant improvements to this area. 

Early feedback from a social care worker trialling the Needs Assessment Tool indicates that it has halved the time required to complete an assessment. This efficiency gain allows workers to focus more on supporting individuals in achieving their desired outcomes. Importantly, this tool is designed as an assistive aid rather than a replacement for social workers’ expertise. Once transcribed, the assessment can still be tailored to the worker’s writing style, ensuring accuracy and personalisation. 

The use of technology in assessments, not only improves productivity, but social care workers can dedicate more time to meaningful engagement, fostering stronger connections and delivering more personalised care.