Assessor best practice principles

All assessors should know, understand and be committed to national best-practice, including the following assessment principles:

• Wellness and the reablement approach and philosophy
• Providing quality client information
• Competency based training for assessors
• Stakeholder engaging and collaboration
• Maintaining up-to-date information and knowledge of local community resources and services that can support clients’ independence and improved their ability
• Ensuring access to timely assessment and services
• Ensuring equity and consistency with national guidelines
• Accommodating diversity by being adaptable to the special requirements of the diverse target groups
• Collection of quality data for planning, evaluation and continuous improvement of services

Key assessor competencies

Assessors should be competent in the following areas:

• Demonstrating a current understanding of the context and service provider network, and draws on supporting knowledge of local information relevant to service provision and client care
• Using a relational and observation based approach to identifying and collecting information
• Using interpretative and collaborative skills to make decisions
• Using efficient processes to initiate referrals and coordinate plans of support and care

Appropriately skilled assessors should:

• Use observation and motivational techniques
• Understand and respond appropriately to the reactions that consumers may have to reablement
• Partner with consumers to agree on goals and support plans with clients
• Carry out an activity-based assessment (including reablement and risk assessment)
• Plan and refer care and support in line with the reablement aims