Refocusing the 
Care Programme Approach 

A Work –Based Assessment 
of 
Competencies
for 
Community Staff

Name of Care Co-ordinator:

Work Setting:

Assessment period
(6 months)
	From:	To:	
Name of Assessor:

Guidance for Care Co-ordinators and Assessors

This schedule outlines the competencies against which the care co-ordinators practice will be assessed and include the forms for recording progress.

The Assessor
The selection of an assessor will be based mainly on relevant experience and training.  These should be viewed as more significant that level of seniority or professional background.  The decision should be a joint one made by the care co-ordinator and manager.  The following criteria should be considered:
•	Amount of experience working as a care co-ordinator (suggest a minimum of three years)
•	Some experience of assessing and supervising others i.e. pre-registration students and / or qualified staff
•	Successful completion of a locally or nationally recognised  mentor, programme

The evidence
It is the care co-ordinators responsibility to provide evidence of the achievement of each competence to the assessor.  The care co-ordinator is required to indicate on their assessment of competence record where the evidence supporting achievement of the competence is to be found.

•	When the assessor is satisfied that the care co-ordinator has provided sufficient evidence to support achievement  of a specific competence safely, effectively and consistently to the required standard “ACHIEVED” should be recorded against that competence in the space provided.

•	If the care co-ordinator has provided insufficient evidence to support achievement of a specific competence “NOT ACHIEVED” should be recorded against the competence.  

•	The following types of evidence may be produced to indicate the achievement of a competence:

1.	Direct observation (DO) of the care co-ordinator whilst working along side the assessor.  For example, observing the care co-ordinator leading a review meeting within the CPA process
2.	Question and answer session (QA) to assess underpinning knowledge and decision making.  For example, asking the care co-ordinator to justify a decision made on the level of risk of and individual.
3.	Reflective discussion (RD) between the assessor and the care co-ordinator regarding their progress.  For example, focussing on one of the competencies and discussion in relation to practice.
4.	Written records (WR) for example, care plans, notes, minutes, reports and other documents that are records of the care co-ordinators actions
5.	Testimonials / witness statements (TWS)  from other staff, health care professionals, service users or carers.  For example, a short statement from a carer confirming that they were involved in an assessment.

Overview of the assessment requirements 

•	Care co-ordinators must be assessed on all competencies over the agreed time period (not to exceed 26 weeks).
•	If a care co-ordinator fails to achieve all of the competencies  then a second period of work based assessment will be agreed by the manager, care co-ordinator and assessor in which the care co-ordinator will be expected to achieve the remaining competencies.

The assessment process

Meeting 1	The care co-ordinator and assessor discuss the competencies, how they will be assessed and identify work based opportunities that may be available to enable the care co-ordinator to achieve them
	
Meeting 2	The care co-ordinator and the assessor arrange a meeting in the middle of the agreed time frame to discuss progress.  The meeting record is completed and signed.
	
Meeting 3	The care co-ordinator and the assessor arrange a final assessment interview at the end of the agreed timeframe.  The results of the assessment are entered on the Assessment of Competence Record.  The assessor and care co-ordinator  sign and date the form.

Confidentiality

The collection and management of evidence relating to individuals must be conducted sensitively with due attention to issues of confidentiality.  Where appropriate, consent from individuals must be obtained.

Meeting 1
The aim of this meeting is for the care co-ordinator and the assessor to:
•	Agree the care co-ordinators assessment timeframe
•	Identify the work based opportunities that are available to enable the 
care co-ordinator to achieve the competencies

Work based opportunities that are available to enable achievement of competencies:

	

Agreed timeframe:

Start date:

Mid- point meeting date:

Completion date:

Comments and discussion:

	

Name of Assessor: (please print)	

Signature of Assessor:	

Signature of Care Co-ordinator:	

Copy to Manager
Mid-point meeting

The aim of this meeting between the assessor and the care co-ordinator is to:
•	acknowledge the progress made towards the achievement of competencies and any areas that require attention
•	review the initial goals and timeframe

It is the car co-ordinators responsibility to provide evidence of the progress made towards achievement of the competencies.

Review of progress and evidence to support this (to be completed by the care co-ordinator)

	

Comments and discussion (including any amendments to plan)

	

New actions

	

Name of Assessor: (please print)

Signature of Assessor:	

Signature of Care Co-ordinator:	

Final meeting       
                         
Name of Care Co-ordinator:_________________________________

Work place:______________________________________________

The aim of the meeting is to:

•	verify the care co-ordinators evidence of achievement of the competencies
•	review the care co-ordinators performance and identify strengths and key areas of learning for future practice
It is the care co-ordinators responsibility to provide evidence of achievement of the competencies.

Achievement of competencies:  care co-ordinators comments:

	

Achievement of competencies:  assessors comments:

	

Name of Assessor:  (please print)

Signature of Assessor:

Signature of Care Co-ordinator:

            Assessment record:  1. Comprehensive needs assessment

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA 1.1  Clarify your role within the assessment process
				
CPA 1.2  Involve the person and significant others in assessment process
				
CPA 1.3  Arrange advocacy for people who are unable to represent their own interests
				
CPA 1.4  Carry out an assessment of physical emotional and psychological needs
				
CPA 1.5  Assess any immediate risk to the person or others
				
CPA 1.6  consult with and refer to specialist advice and assessment if appropriate
				
CPA 1.7  With person and significant others, identify and agree actions and interventions
				
CPA 1.8  Review assessment process and next steps with participants
				
CPA 1.9  Record and provide information  in line with legal and organisational requirements

           Assessment record:  2. Risk assessment and management

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
In consultation with people, family/carers, and individuals and agencies involved in their care:
				
CPA  2.1  Support and encourage individuals to participate in the assessment, actions, processes, procedures and practices for dealing with risk of danger, harm and abuse
				
CPA  2.2  Assesses and records the potential impact of harm, failure to protect and harm to self and others according to degree, likelihood and effect on individuals
				
CPA  2.3  Prioritise identified needs and level of risk
				
CPA  2.4  Arrange specialist assessments where required
				
CPA  2.5  Consider and appraise the strengths and weaknesses of options to manage risk
				
CPA  2.6  Consider and appraise the strengths and weaknesses of options to manage risk
				
CPA  2.7  Acknowledge and record any disagreement concerning the source and level of risk

Copy to Manager

           Assessment record:  2. Risk assessment and management

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  2.8  Negotiate and agree a plan to manage risk.  Identify
And record instances where preferred options for action are not consistent with organisational priorities.
  				
CPA  2.9  Share the risk  management plan with the person, family / careers, and people / agencies involved in their care, as appropriate.
				
CPA  2.10 Take action to protect individuals considered to be in immediate danger.
				
CPA  2.11 Agree your role and responsibilities and those of others in reviewing the risk management plan, and the effectiveness of actions to deal with the risk of danger, harm and abuse.

Copy to Manager

           Assessment record:  3.  Crisis planning and management

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  3.1  Assess the risk of crisis situations occurring with individuals, families and carers.
				
CPA  3.2  Negotiate agreement to the risk management strategies with the individuals, carers, families, service providers, other agencies and practitioners.
 				
CPA  3.3  Negotiate agreement on the information which will need to be shared, and with whom, in accordance with agency and legislative requirements.
				
CPA  3.4  Ensure that the agreed actions are implemented as promptly as possible in accordance with the assessed urgency of the need.
				
CPA  3.5  Review the outcomes of actions taken to address immediate needs.
				
CPA  3.6  Ensure that the results of the review are communicated clearly to all those who need to receive them.

Copy to Manager

           Assessment record:  4. Assessing and responding to carers needs

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  4.1  Develop relationships with carers in recognition of  their role and expertise and enable them to communicate their needs and preferences.
				
CPA  4,2  Provide information about the careers rights to have their needs assessed and the procedures for this.
				
CPA  4.3  Ensure that carers needs are assessed in line with legislation and organisational policy.
				
CPA  4.4  Ensure that carers have accessible information about resources, services, facilities and support groups that are available and appropriate to them.
				
CPA  4.5  co-ordinate what support will be needed by carers to enable them to meet their own needs and preferences.
				
CPA  4.6  Identify any risks to carers and individuals and  how these should be managed.
				
CPA  4.7  Identify how carers access to resources, services, facilities and support groups will be reviewed, when this will happen and who will be involved.

           

           Assessment record:  4. Assessing and responding to carers needs (cont)…….

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  4.8  Take appropriate action to challenge discriminatory information and practice.
				
CPA  4.9  Record and report on actions, processes and outcomes in line with organisational policy.

5.	Care planning and review
	
CPA  5.1  Encourage individuals and their significant others to take a full and active part in the care planning and review process, consistent with the individuals wishes.
				
CPA  5.2  Clarify how information will be shared.
				
CPA  5.3  Encourage and support individuals and significant others to consider what recovery means to them, and what will enable them to recover.
				
CPA  5.4  Identify and take account of the views of other service providers, agencies and practitioners who are in a position to contribute to the persons care planning.

Copy to Manager

           Assessment record:  5.  Care planning and review (cont)….

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  5.6  With the person and significant others, discuss options and agree a care / recovery plan.
				
CPA  5.7  Agree the role of the person and significant others in achieving the aims and goals of the plan.
				
CPA  5.8  Establish with the person and significant others how the aims and goals of the persons care / recovery plan will be reviewed.
				
CPA  5.9  Monitor progress to ensure that the person is able to access the facilities, resources, and interventions agreed within the care / recovery plan.  Take action where this is  not achieved.
				
CPA  5.10 With the person and significant others, review the care / recovery plan.
				
CPA  5.11  Record and share as agreed the planning and review process.

Copy to Manager

            
            Assessment record:  6.  Transfer and discharge

   To be completed by the assessor with the care co-ordinator following verification of the evidence provided by the care co-ordinator.  
   Evidence types:  DO=direct observation  QA= questions and answers  RD=reflective discussion  WR=written records  

Competencies
	
Evidence type	
Achieved (signature)	
Not achieved (signature)	
CPA  6.1  Discuss with the person, and family carers as appropriate, the options for transfer of care or discharge.  Agree with the person and family / carers the goals for transfer of care of discharge.
				
CPA  6.2  Agree a transfer / discharge plan, including the support needs of the person upon transfer / discharge.
				
CPA  6.3  Agree with the person, family / carers and services involved in the transfer / discharge arrangements.  Implement transfer of care or  discharge.
				
CPA  6.4  Monitor and review the effectiveness of the transfer / discharge arrangements.
				
CPA  6.5  record and share transfer / discharge records in line with legal and organisational requirements.

Copy to Manager