SCIE media releases 2002

Best Practice guide 2: Assessing the mental health needs of older people

16 August 2002

This Best Practice Guide is now available on the electronic Library for Social Care. It can be reached via SCIE's homepage. It provides an overview of information and current practice to all those involved in assessing the social care needs of older people with mental health needs. It is aimed primarily at front line assessment staff, who are often the first professional in contact with an older person or their family and friends. It will also be a resource for families and supporters and for all those involved in providing front line services.

The Guide outlines the principles of good assessment practice, gives easy access to information and shows the skills needed to provide sound judgements in the support of service users and carers. It points service users and carers to further information sources and shows what they are entitled to expect from their contact with social care professionals who are assessing their needs.

The Guide contains:

• messages from research
• practice examples
• service examples

and has numerous links to:

• useful further reading
• information on the web
• Official guidance and standards

Contact:

Patricia Kearney
Director of Practice Development
Telephone: 020 7089 6840
email: patricia.kearney@scie.org.uk