A Common Assessment Framework Matthew Fagg Care Services Directorate

What is the Issue? 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.

Progress to Date 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.

Policy Commitments? 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.

Proposals 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Streamlined Assess (DWP) 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

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;