Change 2: Align assessments with strengths-based principles

Every interaction with a person should focus on building trust, empathy, and purpose. This includes assessments.

How can systems do this?

Focus on the basic questions: “What is important to me?” “What is important for me?” and make assessments meaningful to people’s lives.

Using the I,” “we” and “together” statements:

I statement: I can explain what a good day looks like for me and what helps me feel confident and connected.

We statement: We listen and make sure assessments focus on what matters to people, not just tasks or forms.

Together statement: Together we use assessments to understand strengths, not deficits, and plan support that makes sense to the person.

Examples of potential frameworks for this can be seen from Calderdale Council (8Ps Strengths-Based Framework) and Nottinghamshire County Council in appendix two).

Make sure the assessment is relevant to what is going on and how quickly the person needs something to happen (proportionate)
Strengthen carers’ support
Consider risk in the context of human rights, rather than just focusing on safety. This may mean having some challenging conversations with other professionals and sometimes family and friends to balance independence and risk
Use simple, human questions in assessments to help the person identify their needs
Consider the impact of these needs on the persons wellbeing
Do not use eligibility criteria to define what needs are. Only apply eligibility criteria after identification of need, and consideration of these on wellbeing to make sure the assessment is strengths-based
Ensure IT systems and auto-populated forms reinforce strengths-based language.