397.The section includes a power to make regulations about carrying out assessments for children and young carers under these provisions. It also includes provision for the local authority to carry out an assessment of a child jointly with another assessment and specifies that if assessments are to be combined the child must have capacity or be competent to agree to a combined assessment.
398.The local authority may combine a needs assessment with any other assessment it is carrying out of the individual or another person only if the individuals agree or, if a child to whom an assessment relates lacks capacity or is not competent to consent, the local authority is satisfied it is in the child’s best interests. So for example an assessment of likely needs after the age of 18 could be included in a young person’s education, health and care (EHC) plan, provided for in the Children and Families Act 2014. The EHC offers a joined up assessment for children and young people across education, health and social care. If carrying out a needs assessment the local authority can also carry out another agency’s assessment of the child or that of another relevant person (provided all parties consent to this) on behalf of the other agency or jointly with the other agency. For example, if carrying out a child’s needs assessment the local authority could carry out a continuing healthcare assessment of his or her carer jointly with the relevant health body.
399.The provisions for assessment in order to plan for transition under sections 58, 59, 60, 61, 63 and 64 apply both to those who are and to those who are not already receiving support.