We are working with the Administrative Fairness Lab at the University of York on a new project, in partnership with people who draw on social care and members of the public, to explore fairness in social care needs assessments. No one can receive state support for social care without first having a needs assessment, and with over two million requests for support each year in England alone, this process is at the heart of the social care system. It determines an individual’s needs, their wellbeing, and the outcomes they wish to achieve. However, research suggests that the way needs assessments are conducted can feel unclear, inconsistent, and, at times, unfair.
This research, supported by Curious Minds – the public voice of the University of York Curiosity Partnership – will investigate how local authorities undertake needs assessments, what people perceive as fair, and how the process can be improved.
Why this research is needed
Evidence gathered by the research team has identified three key issues with the needs assessment process:
- Lack of transparency – While there has been research on the outcomes of needs assessments, there is little understanding of how local authorities make these decisions.
- Concerns about fairness – A YouGov survey of over 3,400 people found that 80% of the public lack confidence that social care needs assessments are conducted fairly.
- Variation in practice – The approach to needs assessments differs widely across councils, ranging from self-assessment tools to in-depth face-to-face interviews.
What the project will do
The project will explore these issues through four key strands of work:
- Co-production with people with lived experience – A group of experts by experience will shape the research and ensure meaningful input from people who draw on social care.
- Case studies of local authority practice – Research in five areas will examine how different councils carry out needs assessments and what this means for the people involved.
- Public perceptions of fairness – A survey experiment will gather views from a representative sample of the UK public on what makes a fair needs assessment.
- Changing practice – The research findings will be shared with key organisations, including the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Access Social Care, and Think Local Act Personal, to help shape a fairer approach to needs assessments.
TLAP’s role in the project
Think Local Act Personal is contributing to the project as one of several organisations committed to improving fairness and transparency in the social care system. As part of the ‘changing practice’ work, TLAP will help share findings with key stakeholders and explore how they can inform efforts to make the needs assessment process work better for people who draw on care and support.
Find out more
For updates on the project and for more information about the work of the Administrative Fairness Lab, please visit www.administrativefairnesslab.com.
