Getting ready for your needs assessment or reassessment

Your needs assessment conversation may be with a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination agency (NASC) or an Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site. All NASCs and EGL sites use the same approach to assess people’s needs.

The purpose of a needs assessment is to have a conversation with you, so we can 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 or Enabling Good Lives site may discuss with you. 

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

After your assessment conversation, you will be sent a summary

After you have had your assessment conversation, your NASC or EGL site 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 or EGL site.

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

You can let your NASC or EGL site know if there is anything you think needs to change. You can also provide extra information.

After the summary is agreed

If this is your first assessment: Your NASC or EGL site will determine if you are eligible for DSS-funded support. They will then talk with you about the types of support that are available, and the ways it can be provided.

Not every disabled person who has an assessment is eligible for DSS-funded support. If you are not eligible, the NASC or EGL site may recommend other types of support that could help you and your whānau and carers.

If you are having a re-assessment: Your NASC or EGL site will consider any changes in your situation and needs, and the DSS-funded support you are eligible for. They will talk with you about the types of support that are available, and the ways it can be provided. They may also recommend other types of support that could help you and your whānau and carers.

My DSS Funding Plan 

Following an assessment or reassessment, everyone with DSS-funded supports will receive a My DSS Funding Plan. Your My DSS Funding Plan helps guide how your flexible funding is used. It shows you what funding you have, what it is intended for, and the outcomes the funding is meant to support. It may include support for carers.

Here is what a My DSS Funding Plan looks like: My DSS Funding Plan template

If you are not happy with the outcome

If you are unhappy with a decision by your NASC or Enabling Good Lives site, you should try to work with them to resolve issues or concerns as close to the source as possible. They are best placed to work with you and will understand your personal circumstances.

All disability providers, including NASCs and EGL sites, have processes for managing feedback, complaints and reviews. You can request a review of any part of your NASC assessment or review process, including any decisions about your support allocation.

More information about disability support service complaints can be found on our complaints and feedback page.