A Common Assessment Framework

1. A Common Assessment Framework Matthew Fagg Care Services Directorate

2. As part of consultation on IWC we heard concerns about the assessment process across all client groups: Length: Intrusiveness; Lack of personalisation; Repetition. Gershon programme – commitment to deliver £684 million efficiency savings by end March 2008; Early work suggests referral and assessment is a key area for delivering efficiency. What is the Issue?

3. Improving assessment and care management already on the agenda; NSF for OP - commitment to implement SAP from April 2002; Where SAP has been implemented well very effective but, there can be barriers: Organisational; IM&T; Failure to adopt a proportionate approach; Lack of senior level leadership. Progress to Date

4. OHOCOS - commitment to develop a common assessment framework for adults. In context of improved LTC management which requires: Recognition that individuals do not fall into discrete categories; A holistic view of individual’s circumstances; Multi-agency approach; Improved information sharing between professionals. Policy Commitments?

5. Develop a common approach to assessment which will: Build on SAP and other national frameworks; Develop a single approach to all client groups; and Explore scope for simplification and greater consistency. Likely to focus on long-term care management (not short-term intervention) We are not proposing a single national toolkit. Proposals

6. Screening Assessment • We are proposing that there should be a common, standardised, front-end to the assessment process; • The initial assessment should be about screening for the need for further assessment/consideration of particular domains; • A new national specification for a screening assessment would replace the SAP overview assessment; and • Consist of the 40 to 50 “items”; and • Take no more than 30 minutes to complete.

7. Possible Model Contact Referral/Signposting Screening Assess Readacross to FACS Specialist Specialist Specialist Specialist

8. Interdependencies • Two key interdependencies: • Ongoing work to implement personal health and social care plans • NHS CfH are taking forward an ‘E-SAP’ project to scope the requirements for delivering integrated IM&T systems across health and social care; • We need to ensure consistency across the three workstreams.

9. Next Steps • Propose to convene a policy collaborative with representation from a range of stakeholders; • ‘Buy in’ from stakeholders will be a key to successful implementation of a CAF; • Members will take forward development of policy through a number of working groups; • Deliverables for April 2007 likely to include: • Guidance on Care Planning; • Specification for a CAF; and • Implementation plan.

10. Towards a CAF A range of projects will contribute to the development of a CAF Individual Budgets Streamlined Assess (DWP) Streamlined & transparent resource allocation Info sharing between agencies CAF Builds on SAP Self-Assessment CSED RAP Projects Scope to devolve assessment Efficiency & H&SC interface

11. Objectives • Benefits for individuals, staff and organisations; • Common approach to assessment; • Common format & processes; • Holistic, yet proportionate; • Better readacross to SC eligibility; • Shared e-care records; • Improved information management; • More efficient processes; • Support mobile working; • Better integration of services;