Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC)

he core role of a NASC is to assess people’s needs and connect them with the right support services. In Auckland, the disability NASC is called Kaikaranga.   There are also NASC for health and mental health.

If you have a physical, intellectual, or sensory disability, or autism, are under 65 and living in the greater Auckland area, you can register with Kaikaranaga to find out if you are eligible for disability support.

Anyone can make a referral to a NASC, including the disabled person themselves, a family/whānau member they trust, a friend, or a trusted health professional. Referral means to direct another person to an organisation or professional, in this case to gain support.

Referrals can be over the phone, by email and for Kaikaranaga you can make one online:  Make a referral – Kaikaranga

The disabled person or their whānau needs to consent to the referral. Consent means that you agree to allow someone to do the referral for you.

Needs Assessment

What can you expect?

When you contact the NASC, they will ask you questions which will help them to understand how to best advise you on the supports that may be available to you.

If eligible, they will organise for you to have a Needs Assessment, which can take place virtually online, on the phone, or in your home or a place you choose, depending on your circumstances.

This is the beginning of the Needs Assessment process which is a term you may have heard about. If they think this is needed, they will set up a time to come and meet with you at your home.

The purpose of your needs assessment

The purpose of a needs assessment is to have a conversation with you, and/or a child’s family or whānau, to understand:

• your day-to-day life – how things are right now, for you, your whānau and carers
• what types of support might help you, your whānau and carers live the life you want
• how much support you need and at what times of the day.

Getting ready

To give you time to think about the things you would like to share, and what is important for us to know, here is a list of topics that your NASC assessor may discuss with you and/or your whānau

Not all these topics may relate to you and your situation. They are examples to help you prepare. You may find it helpful to make notes and bring these with you.

Your daily routines – what are your daily routines, what helps to make the harder parts of the day easier, when are you at your busiest?

The important people in your life – who is important, who provides support, how do you maintain relationships, and what helps your supporters be available?

Your involvement outside of your home – what is your involvement in your community? Do you participate in education, work, cultural or recreational activities? Are there other opportunities you would like to get involved in?

Your skills and knowledge – what are your life skills, strengths, and interests? How do these help you learn and make you happy?

Keeping yourself safe – how do you keep yourself safe and manage any risks?

Your decisions and choices – what do you make decisions about?

If you have carers – how do they take a break? How do they maintain balance in their life, and what else could help them to do that?

If this is a re-assessment – has your situation changed since your last assessment?

Telling your story with a mind map

You might find it helpful to use a mind map to prepare for your assessment conversation.

Using a mind map can help you tell your story. You can use it to record thoughts and facts about different parts of your life. Using a mind map is optional – it’s up to you if you find it helpful.

You can download, print and write on your mind map, or you can complete it on your device.

Choose the mind map that best suits your stage of life.

• Pre-School – Fillable PDF
• Primary-Intermediate – Fillable PDF
• High School – Fillable PDF
• Adult – Fillable PDF

After your assessment conversation, you will be sent a summary

After you have had your assessment conversation, your NASC will send you a summary of your conversation. It is important this summary accurately reflects your needs and the conversation you had with your NASC.

You will have time to review this summary. You can talk to your family, whānau or a trusted support person about it.

It is important you tell your NASC if you agree or if anything needs to change. You can also provide extra information. If your NASC site does not hear from you or cannot contact you, in some cases this may delay your supports being allocated.