If your child has severe disabilities and, at anytime, you need the help of Children’s Services and Learning, they may co-ordinate an assessment of your child’s needs.
A brief assessment is called an Initial Assessment, and would be carried out by a social worker or someone who knows your child and your family well. It will involve meeting with you and your child, and, with your permission, talking to other professionals who have had contact with your child and your family.
Your child’s needs may be identified, and services, as far as they are available, may be provided at this stage. An Initial Assessment should be carried out within 7 working days.
If your child’s needs are more complex, or it is a particularly challenging time for your child or family, Children’s Services and Learning are able to co-ordinate an in depth assessment of your child’s needs called a core assessment. A social worker and other professionals who know you and your family well, will talk with you about your family and your child.
An important part of this will be, whenever possible, direct communication with you and your child about what he/she would like to happen. They try not to ask you the same questions over and over again! The Core Assessment should result in a summary of your child’s needs. Services may then be provided, to meet those needs, and these may include services to help you as a parent. A Core Assessment should take 35 working days.