The CPA assessment

It is a good idea to get a copy of the eligibility criteria for the care programme approach before you have an assessment by contacting the care co-ordinator of your local mental health trust. Look at these criteria and try and work out what information about yourself is relevant to each point.

For example, the criteria often include ‘repeated requests for help from carers’. If you have a carer, has he or she made requests to the CMHT for help? If you want to be put on the care programme approach, then it may be a good idea to ask your carer to make a formal request for help to the local trust.

The assessment may take place over a number of sessions or just over one. The
person conducting the assessment should ask you about ALL your needs, i.e. personal care, social needs, recreational, housing and leisure needs. He or she should also ask you about your strengths and abilities.

You have the right to take a friend or advocate to your assessment. Advocates
work with their clients to ensure that their client’s voice is heard. Acting at their client’s instruction, they can either speak on a client’s behalf or support the client whilst they speak for themselves. For help finding an advocate, contact the Rethink National Advice Service by ‘phoning 020 8974 6814 (open Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm), writing to Rethink Advice, 28 Castle Street, Kingston upon Thames, SURREY KT1 1SS or emailing advice@rethink.org. Or contact your local community mental health team.

If you have a carer, he or she should be fully involved in the assessment.

The assessment should be used by your mental health team to create a care plan for you. You have a right to have a copy of the assessment sent to you – remember to ask for this as the person doing the assessment may not automatically send it to you.

The assessment should be used by your mental health team to create a care plan for you. Ask for a copy of your care plan to be sent to you after the assessment – you have a right to this.

You should be sent a copy of the assessment and your care plan after the
assessment. If you have a problem getting a copy of your care plan, remind the assessor that you are entitled to this under Standard Four of the National Service Framework for Mental Health.

Your care plan will include a statement of services to be provided to you. They should include services for all the aspects of your life where you feel you need support.