The terms of reference for a review of how children’s needs will be assessed under the terms of the Disability Act (2005) are expected to be agreed next week. This comes as part of an agreement on the introduction of an ‘assessment of need protocol,’ which Fórsa reached with the HSE last year.

An agreement, established in February 2020, included provision for an independently-chaired joint review group with five Fórsa nominees from the relevant health and social care (HSCP) professional committees.

The group will be independently chaired by Robbie Ryan, who was nominated by Fórsa.

Fórsa official Chris Cully said the terms of reference allowed for three stages of reporting, with interim reports at three and six months, and a final report after a year.

“This is a joint HSE-Fórsa review, which is designed to allow detailed examination of all the outstanding issues and feed into a process to identify solutions and recommendations that will resolve any difficulties, while ensuring the assessment of need process works,” she said.

Chris said the chair may invite submissions from other parties, including the professional bodies, CORU and HIQA.

Concerns around the assessment of needs process led to the establishment of a joint working group in 2018, after Fórsa raised concerns about time assessment limits within the policy. Chris said the union was concerned that the proposed time limits would not be sufficient to adequately determine the needs of children being assessed.

“We also had concerns about the additional staff resources required to meet demand within the three-month timeframe laid down by the legislation,” she said.

Last year’s agreement outlines how children’s needs will be assessed under the terms of the Disability Act (2005), and made provision for the independent review. It’s designed to guide the assessment of potential service needs for children who have, or may have, a disability.