What is in a mental health assessment at social services?
It depends. A non-urgent social services assessment is going to be used when a social worker determines what help you need and what services you’re entitled to. For example, someone who is becoming unwell due to extreme social isolation may be offered a place at a day centre. The most well known assessment is the emergency assessment to determine if someone must be taken to hospital, possibly without their consent. From the direct.gov.uk website: “Emergency Assessments – If you are in danger of harming yourself or others and you are refusing treatment, an emergency assessment may be necessary. This is when two doctors and an approved social worker (a social worker who is specially trained in mental health) make the assessment. This may lead to admitting you to hospital against your will, under the Mental Health Act 1983. This is often known as ‘being sectioned’.
