Exploring Variation in Social Care Needs Assessments

Exploring the experiences of people who have been through Social Care Needs Assessments

Little is known about the experiences of people who have been through Social Care Needs Assessments. As defined by the NHS, this assessment is carried out by someone from the local council, such as an occupational therapist or social worker, to assess how well someone is coping with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, and cooking. They may recommend practical help from a paid carer, or changes to the home. A Carer's Needs Assessment, as defined by the NHS, looks at things which could make a carer's life easier, including someone to take over caring so they can have a break, help with gardening and housework, and advice about benefits for carers. 

There are several barriers to accessing a Social Care Needs Assessment or Carer's Needs Assessment. This includes geographic location, age, gender, ethnicity and education. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of people living with a neurodegenerative condition (such as MND), and their unpaid carers, around getting a Social Needs Care Assessment/Carer's Needs Assessment and subsequent support and care services provided. The researchers would like to find out how easy or difficult the process was, whether people received all the support they required, and what type of support people living with a neurodegenerative condition and their unpaid carers may be lacking.