Manage systems and processes which enable early identification and assessment of an individual’s current and emerging health needs

For this assessment criterion, you will be required to critically analyse your organisation’s management systems and processes which enable early identification and assessment of an individual’s current and emerging health and care. You should explore the methods and processes that your organisation uses to assess individuals that require support services and the ways in which emerging needs can be identified.

Recognising and recording individual’s current and emerging health care needs

As well as giving local authorities the responsibility to assess the needs of individuals that may require care and support services, the Care Act 2014 also specifies duties for local authorities to prevent, delay and reduce their needs. This is called early assessment. Local authorities will work in partnership with service users, their families and carers to recognise emerging health needs.

Staff training may be required to help them to recognise the early warning signs associated with common conditions that can affect the individuals they work with. For example, workers in an elderly care home may receive training to identify the early warning signs of dementia.

Information about an individual’s current and emerging needs should be recorded using standardised processes that are documented in the organisation’s policies and procedures. Care plans should be reviewed regularly and updated as soon as an individual’s care needs change.

Understanding the importance of early identification and assessment

Early identification and assessment are vital for early interventions that prevent the development of acute conditions. It also ensures that an individual’s current care needs are being met and that future needs can be planned for in advance.

Maintaining health and care records in line with requirements

It is a legal requirement to maintain records about an individual’s health and care provision and processes should be in place to ensure that this information is recorded and stored securely and that confidentiality is maintained. Systems should adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Systems should be in place to monitor compliance and ensure the quality of the service.

Advance care planning and end-of-life wishes

Advance care planning is the process of discussing the wishes and preferences of a service user for their future care and support needs. This allows them to specify how they wish their care, support and treatment to be delivered if they are ever unable to express their wishes themselves (e.g. due to deteriorating physical health or mental capacity). They may also nominate individuals to make decisions on their behalf. Advance care planning should be performed in partnership with the service user and healthcare professionals as well as the family of the service user.

Systems should be in place to ensure that advance care planning takes place and that staff are trained in performing consultations. Staff’s emotional needs should also be catered for with systems in place for regular supervision and access to other support networks.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence provides further information about advance care planning.