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Social Work vocabulary · Casework and Assessment

Needs assessment

Meaning in social work, with examples

nounCore term

In social work, needs assessment means: An assessment that identifies what support a person, family or community needs, and which of those needs are not being met.

In Turkish: ihtiyaç değerlendirmesi, ihtiyaç analizi

How it is used

Used at individual level, for example a carer's needs assessment, and at community level before planning services. In adult services it often decides whether a person meets the eligibility criteria.

Example sentences

  1. The council carried out a needs assessment before opening the new day centre.

  2. Her son asked for a needs assessment because she can no longer manage the stairs.

Common collocations

  • carry out a needs assessment
  • community needs assessment
  • carer's needs assessment
  • unmet needs
  • assessmentThe process of gathering and analysing information about a person's situation, needs, strengths and risks in order to decide what help is needed.
  • eligibilityMeeting the conditions, such as age, income, need or residence, that are required to receive a service or payment.
  • adult social carePractical and personal support for adults who need help because of age, illness or disability, such as home care, day centres and care homes.
  • care planA written plan setting out a person's needs, the goals to work towards, the services to be provided, who is responsible and when progress will be reviewed.

More terms: Casework and Assessment

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