The document outlines several assessment tools that should be used to evaluate clients, including the TAG, CANSAS, and FAA for initial screening. It then describes several structured assessment scales for further identifying problem areas, such as the Barthel Index and COPM. Two specific assessment tools are then described in detail: the Threshold Assessment Grid, which is a brief assessment of mental health problems, and the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule, which holistically assesses client needs across 23 domains. Guidelines are provided for using and scoring both of these assessments.

2.  All case should be screened initially using the
following:
TAG
CANSAS

3.  Following that OT shall conduct a specific assessment
using the
FAA

4.  Structured assessment scales to further identify problem
areas:
Barthel Index
Domestic Assessment
Role Checklist
Interest Checklist
Work Assessment
Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

5.  Threshold Assessment Grid
 Brief assessment of the severity of an individual’s
mental health problems.
 Simple in easily used in categorizing patients'
problems comprehensively
 7 domains : safety (2 aspects)
risk (2 aspects)
needs and disabilities (3 aspects)
 All aspects need to be assessed

6.  Each aspects is assessed by level of severity
 Used during clinical interview psychosocial
assessment
 Problems that take place a month prior to the
assessment

7.  Scoring:
None/mild : All domains that are problem free or
mild problems
Moderate : Only one domain scored as moderate
is required to categorise client in this
level
Severe : Only one domain scored as severe is
required to categorise client in this
level

8.  Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal
Schedule.
 A brief & simple assessment of the needs of people
with severe mental health problems.
 Designed for clinical use and research.
 Assesses client’s needs holistically &
comprehensively.

9.  Assesses problems during the last one month in 23
domains of life.
 Involve an interview with a service user (the term used
to cover patient/client/consumer – the person being
assessed) carer or staff member.
 The interviewee’s reply is recorded directly, even if the
interviewer disagrees with his or her view.

10.  Each assessment uses one column.
 Circle the letter indicating who is being assessed:
(U=user, S=staff, C=carer)
 Record the date and initials of the interviewer.
 Suggested questions – to open discussion on each domain.
 Supplementary questions should be asked where necessary
with the goal of establishing:
a) Whether the user has a serious mental problem in this
domain; and
b) If the user does have a serious problem whether he/she is
getting effective help.

11.  On the basis of the interviewee’s responses, a ‘need
rating’ is made for the last month:
0 = no need (i.e no serious problem)
1 = met need (i.e no/moderate problem due to
help given)
2 = unmet need (i.e no/moderate problem,
whether or not help is given)
9 = not known

12.  The need rating is made using the following guidelines:
i. If a serious problem is present (regardless of cause or
whether or not any help is being given) then rate 2
(unmet need).
ii. If there is no serious problem because help is being given
(e.g. family support, sheltered housing, psychotherapy,
medication) then rate 1 (met need).
iii. If there are no problems in this area, then rate 0 (no
need).
iv. If the person being interviewed does not know or does
not want to answer questions on this domain, then rate 9
(not known).

13.  Just because there is currently no problem, the
need rating is not automatically 0.
 A need can exist for a variety reasons.

14.  Done after an initial clinical interview.
 All aspects of basic needs are to be assessed during the
first meeting.
 Repeat every 6 months.
 Needs that are not met have to be given due attention
while those met have to be monitored.

15.  To determine client’s ability to function in basic living
skills.
 Combine of interview and observation of task
performance.
 Use as a guide:
 Establish of care plan
 Monitor client’s progress
 Discharge planning
 Administer at the beginning of OT & at appropriate
intervals.

16. TO BE CONTINUED ;)