Our Ref: 4649  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental
Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [email address]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 4649   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

I refer to your Freedom of Information request in relation to waiting
times for adult social work needs assessments.  

I am writing to inform you that we have searched our records and the
information you requested is not held by Northumberland County Council.

We do not hold this information, and we are not able to give any clear
meaning to your question within the processes which we have established
under the Care Act.   In many cases we will provide support to meet
people’s urgent needs in advance of carrying out a full Care Act needs
assessment, because people often need care services urgently following ill
health or hospitalisation, at a time when it would be premature to attempt
to have a comprehensive long-term discussion about the outcomes which they
want in life and the options for achieving those outcomes. 
 
The definition of a needs assessment in sections 9 and 12 of the Care Act
requires those broader discussions to take place.  Under our arrangements,
urgent needs are ordinarily met under Section 19 of the Act, which does
not require a needs assessment as defined in the Act, and the assessment
of longer-term needs takes place when the person is ready for that.
  
Complaints

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office:

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [email address]

Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a
right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner
for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act at:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545 745
Email: [email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours sincerely

FOI Coordinator - Adult & Community Care Services 
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [email address]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk