Carers' Assessments in Nottinghamshire: content, process and outcomes
Nottinghamshire Social Services Department in association with Networking Action with Voluntary Organisations (NAVO).
This research and development project examined the content, process and outcomes of an individual assessment for (informal) carers in Nottinghamshire. The assessment process aims to determine if a carer is eligible for support; determine what will help the carer maintain their own health and well being; and explore if those needs are met by social services.
The aim of this project was to examine the content, process and outcomes of an ithis assessment process in Nottinghamshire and to propose a new carers’ assessment form for use in the county.
It aimed to identify how the assessment process works and how it is perceived by carers and the assessors.
- Collation and statistical analysis of the 271 content of carers’ assessment forms
- Telephone interviews with a sample of assessors who have completed carers’ assessments
- Face to face interviews with a sample carers who had been assessed
- Drafting of new assessment forms
- Carers in Nottinghamshire provided care in very difficult circumstances: they often had poor health, restrictions on their life, and cared for long hours.
- There were a number of issues and problems with the existing assessment forms: some questions were not understood easily, many were not completed fully, there was no focus on the person with care needs or the carer’s relationship with this person, and there was no information on outcomes.
- Interviews with assessing staff suggested several recommended changes to the form including more clarity and guidance about what information was required in certain parts of the form, and what the process was for devising, implanting and reviewing the action plans agreed.
- Interviews with carers showed that few had had their own needs assessed but were happy with the support they had received, even though it was often a long process. Some reported poor experiences with agency workers. Many were comforted by knowing that there were people in the same situation as them.
As a result of the research, a “Carers’ self-completion pre-assessment form” and a new “carer’s assessment form” were produced by the research team, the introduction of which the majority of consulting Nottinghamshire carers said they would support.
The research identifies areas that require further development if local carers are to experience a more positive and beneficial assessment process.
Becker, S., Becker, F., Silburn, R., Silburn, P. and Sempik, J. (2005) Carers’ Assessments in Nottinghamshire: Content, Process and Outcomes. Nottingham: Nottinghamshire Social Services Department
Dr Joe Sempik (CCFR), Professor Saul Becker, Fiona Becker (independent), Richard Silburn and Pat Silburn (Directors of The Fifty-Fifty Partnership).
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