Mr. John O'Connor:

The HSE in Kilkenny identified a problem with assessment as regards school leavers approximately ten years ago. It invited over a group from America to organise training for a number of senior agency people. They rolled out that training - it is known as "supports intensity scale assessment". It can be linked to value for money and is a very comprehensive assessment framework. We have used it in a number of communities as it gives a very accurate picture of the support scales people need and is an effective way of coming to a figure which can be verified externally if people need it to be, by means of inviting a clinical psychologist to come in and look over the figures. We have done that in a number of situations and the clinical psychologist has often rated the costs higher than the supports intensity scale. It is accurate but we have used it in a way that brings in a realistic fee for people while covering all their support needs. We have recently developed an internal comprehensive assessment tool and we are rolling it out in a number of communities. There are numerous assessment possibilities which could be adopted.