Review of the Implementation of the Northern Ireland Single ...

It was envisaged that the introduction of the single assessment process, provincewide,
using NISAT as the foundation for implementation, would result in a major
change in practice and culture within Health and Social Care.
Carer’s Support and Needs Assessment Tool 10
The tool was created to standardise the assessment of the needs of carers in
relation to supporting them in their caring role. The tool was designed to ensure that
carers receive an effective person centred assessment, leading to the provision of
appropriate services and support and it can be used as a stand-alone assessment
for carers across any adult programme of care. It also aims to provide a mechanism
for health and social care assessors to record any unmet need which would inform
future service provision.
Following the results of a pilot in the Northern Trust, it was decided that the
Carer‟s Support and Needs Assessment Tool should be adopted by all trusts and
used regionally by all practitioners to ensure a standardised approach to carers‟
assessments within adult programmes of care.
On 15 September 2009, DHSSPS issued a Circular HSS (ECCU) 2/2009: 11
Regional Carer‟s Support and Needs Assessment Tool which required trusts to:
make all staff aware of the contents of the above Circular
ensure that the Carer‟s Support and Needs Assessment Tool was the
only assessment tool used across all programmes of care for assessing the
needs of carers
ensure that trust training programmes for staff undertaking carers‟
assessments include the contents of the circular.
Implementation of the Carers’ Strategy DHSSPS: Trust Self-Audit (2009)
In 2009, a self-audit was provided to trusts by DHSSPS. Each trust was asked to
assess themselves against all of the recommendations made in addition to the
actions arising from the Carers‟ Strategy and subsequent reports, guidance and
standards issued by the Department.
The finding from the audit, compiled by DHSSPS was issued to trusts in June 2010.
This highlighted a number of instances of non-compliance across all trusts in relation
to particular aspects of service provision for carers. At the same time the
responsibility for monitoring and follow up of the deficiencies identified by the audit
was transferred from the DHSSPS to the Carers‟ Strategy Implementation Group
(CSIG) at the HSC Board.
In November 2011, the DHSSPS requested a report from the HSC Board detailing
the progress made by trusts on the areas of non-compliance identified in their
previous self-audit. The Board sought assurances from trusts that carers were
receiving appropriate services and support.
6 Valuing Carers 2002 (DHSSPS)
7 Caring for Carers 2006 (DHSSPS)
8 Standards for Adult Social Care Support Services for Carers, (DHSSPS 2008), which can be
accessed at:
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