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The Social Worker will usually come to your home to talk to you. They should ask you for information about your child, for example, about sleeping patterns, eating habits, how your child communicates, what activities they enjoy and whether or not you have any other children to look after. Do not be worried about asking for clear information about the focus of the assessment and about what services are available.
Remember however that the assessment should be needs led and not based on services already available.
Make a list of questions if you think that will help and you are entitled to have a friend or advocate there with you. The Social Worker may also want to speak to your child's health visitor, doctor or school to help them get a full picture of his or her needs.
Combining Assessments
The Children Act also says that various assessments can be combined, for example an assessment under the Education Act 1996 or the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. This means that if your child's Special Educational Needs (SEN) are being assessed for example, then Social Services should assess your child's needs under the Children Act at the same time.
Carer's Assessments
The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, which came into force in April 2001, means that parents can request a Carer's Assessment at any time. The Carer's Assessment specifically focuses on you as a parent and your needs.
Social Services should discuss with you various issues such as the help your child needs and whether there is anyone else who helps, or if you are providing all your child's care. The assessment should also consider your well-being, including health and safety issues, and important commitments such as relationships and employment. The aim of an assessment is to give you a chance to tell Social Services about the things that could make looking after your child easier for you.
After the assessment
After Social Services have carried out an Assessment and made a decision as to whether your child is 'in need', they will consider which services your child needs.
Social services may decide that there is no need for services which could result in your case being closed and Social Services taking no further action (if you disagree with the decision you can challenge this using the Local Authorities complaints procedure - further advice about making a complaint can be found later on in this factsheet). Or they may decide that there is a need for services and they should be provided.
What social services can I expect for my disabled child and family?
Services for disabled children are available under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and under the Children Act 1989.
The Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act sets out what kind of help should be provided. Under this Act, the duty to provide services is to the individual disabled child and does not extend to other members of the family.
The services detailed are:
- practical assistance in the home, such as help with the personal care of your child, e.g. help with getting in and out of bed
- provision of equipment to satisfy a recreational need, such as a TV, radio or computer
- provision of leisure facilities (this could mean outings or a placement at a day centre) or educational facilities (this could mean home-based education or even funding of personal care requirements of students so that they can study)
- travel and other assistance such as travel to and from a day centre
- home adaptations/disabled facilities such as fitting of handrails, hoists etc.
- holidays
- meals
- telephone equipment
The Children Act 1989 sets out a range of support services which should be available. This includes the right to residential accommodation, whether permanent or temporary, where your child needs it. This forms the legal basis for residential respite care. If your child needs this service, then it should be provided. If there are no suitable facilities locally, your Local Authority can look outside its own area. There are other services listed in the Children Act.
Here are some examples:
- occupational, social, cultural or recreational activities
- home help
- assistance to enable your child and family to have a holiday
- advice, guidance or counselling
- travel assistance
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