1. A Common Assessment Framework
Matthew Fagg
Care Services Directorate

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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 Referral/Signposting Readacross to FACS Contact
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. 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

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;