Assessment of Need (AoN).

On June 1 2007, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 became law. Under Part 2 of this Act, children with disabilities have a right to:

• An independent assessment of their health and educational needs arising from their disability
• An assessment report
• A statement of services they will receive
• Make a complaint if they are not happy with any part of the process

Further information can be found in the dedicated tabs on the left (top for some mobile users). Please select a tab to view the information.

Who can apply?

Any parent who feels that their child, born after 1st June 2002 and regardless of their age at time of application, may have a disability can apply for an assessment.

An application can also be made by a guardian or a personal advocate assigned by the Citizen’s Information Board

Call 1890 777 121 or visit www.citizensinformation.ie

What is an independent Assessment of Need?

An independent Assessment of Need is an assessment of the full range of your child’s needs associated with his or her disability.

After this you will receive an assessment report detailing your child’s health and educational needs and the services required to meet those needs.

Who will carry out the assessment?

Your first point of contact is your local Assessment Officer who is responsible for your child’s assessment. Each Local Health Office has an Assessment Officer.

They can assist you with your child’s application and help support you through the process. The Assessment Officer is responsible for issuing your child’s assessment report.

The assessment is independent, based solely on your child’s disability needs and is carried out regardless of the cost or the availability of services.

All assessments will be carried out in line with the standards developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority. You will be encouraged to take part in your child’s assessment.

Contact details for your local Assessment Officer and Liaison Officer can be found in the Your County section of the HSE website.

Where do I apply?

Applications must be made in writing on a standard form which is available from your Local Health Office.

Call the HSE information line 1850 24 1850 or visit www.hse.ie for a list of Local Health Officers in Ireland.

Alternatively you can contact your Assessment Officer and the form will be posted to you.

The form is currently not available online to download.

How long will it take?

Your child’s assessment must start within 3 months from when the completed application form is accepted by the HSE.

It must be completed within a further 3 months from the date on which the assessment commenced.

In exceptional circumstances, the assessment may take longer than 3 months, but must be completed as soon as possible.

What happens next?

When the assessment is complete, the HSE Liaison Officer will prepare a service statement for you.

The service statement will say what services and supports will be provided to your child and will be prepared within 1 month of the assessment being completed.

You will receive your child’s assessment report and service statement at the same time.

What can I do if I am not satisfied?

If you are not happy with the assessment or service statement, you can make a complaint to the HSE who will arrange for your case to be reviewed.

You can complain if:

• The Assessment Officer decides that your child does not meet the definition of disability according to the Act and you disagree
• The assessment is not done in line with the standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority
• An assessment is not started and completed within the agreed timeframes
• You believe that the content of your child’s service statement is inaccurate or incorrect
• The services in your child’s service statement are not being delivered

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can appeal to an independent appeals office.

The determination of the appeals officer is final and may only be appealed on a point of law to the High Court.

Diagnostic Report.

A multi-disciplinary ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) assessment is completed in three segments, Psychological, Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language assessments. If the Assessment Officer deems it necessary then additional assessments may be offered e.g. physio.

When each of these is completed the Assessment Officer will write an assessment report (formal diagnosis).

The assessment report sets out whether your child has a disability and, if they have, it sets out:

• A statement of the nature and extent of the disability
• A statement of the health and education needs arising from the disability
• A statement of the appropriate services to meet those needs
• A statement of the period within which a review of the assessment should be carried out (this must be no later than a year from the date the assessment report is issued)

The Assessment of Need only addresses the requirements a child has and makes recommendations for intervention. It does not take into account what services are available, this is the job of the HSE Liaison Officer.

The assessment report will also be given to your HSE Liaison Officer to issue a service statement. This service statement addresses the ‘how and when’ of fulfilling the recommendations made in the report.

You should receive the service statement at the same time as the diagnostic report.

The report/formal diagnosis will be required when applying for an educational placement and special educational needs (SEN) supports.

It is also required when applying for any state benefits you/your family may qualify for.

Websites.

Assessment of Need – HSE

Assessment of Need – Citizens Information

Assessing your child’s needs under the Disability Act 2005 – HSE publications