Code: RT04
An assessment is your key to getting what you need from your local authority. Before the local authority will provide you with any service they have to carry out an assessment. If you are disabled you have a legal right to an assessment and you can request this at any time through your social worker (if you have one) or by contacting your local social services department.
Regardless of if you are receiving services already or this is your first assessment, you should ask to be assessed in accordance with Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults.
The assessment will consist of you meeting with the person who will be assessing you (usually a social worker) once or on several occasions. The person assessing you will probably use an assessment form. You can ask for accessible (i.e. in a format you can use, such as braille) copies of this before the first meeting. This will give you an idea of the sort of questions you may be asked.
The assessment must be made by a specialist trained in deafblindness and should include assessing your needs in relation to:
- Communication
- One to one support and social interaction
- Support with mobility
- Assistive technology
- Rehabilitation
- Your current and possible future needs
The result of the assessment will be a document that should clearly set out your needs, and how the local authority plans to meet them. You should get an accessible copy of this. If you disagree with any part of this you should contact social services and explain what you disagree with. Social services have a duty to meet needs that they have assessed - even if that means setting up new services or training new staff.
You should be clear about what they think you need (e.g. help with shopping, reading letters, going out etc) AND about how they are going to meet this need.
Things to remember
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Assessments can seem intimidating - but the expert in your problems is you.
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Decide for yourself before the assessment what support you need and what services you want - tell the person assessing you.
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You can ask Sense for support in explaining what you need - or what support is necessary to help you.
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Remind whoever is assessing you that they have to comply with all the requirements set out in the government guidance. You can give them a copy of the complete guidance (in this pack).
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Ask the person assessing you what their training is. The new guidance requires them to be specifically trained in deafblindness. Give them a copy of the guidance (they may not be aware of it). Tell them they can contact Sense for information, advice and training.
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If you have any problems or questions get in touch with Sense. We can support you, offer advice and information and help ensure you get the services you need.
