Local authorities have a duty to assess the needs of any disabled person. In doing so, the local authority should take a needs-led "what does this client need?" approach rather than a service-driven "what do we have that this client could have?" approach.
Clients should be actively involved and some may want to consider using the services of an independent advocate in this process. Following the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, carers also have a right to have their needs considered independently when they ask for an assessment.
A community care assessment should be used as a basis for defining and agreeing the nature and cost of the support a client requires. For people with learning difficulties there are a number of person-centred planning styles that can be used such as essential lifestyle planning, individual service design, personal futures planning, Maps and PATHs.
