What is an Immediate Needs Assessment?

An immediate needs assessment, also known as an INA, is a detailed overview conducted by an experienced Case Manager under the Rehabilitation Code 2015 to assess the impact of serious injuries on a person’s life. An INA uses a biopsychosocial model to review an individual, meaning the evaluation is holistic and encompasses many aspects such as:

  • Employment requirements
  • Transportation
  • Personal care
  • Education requirements
  • Social interactions

Through a holistic evaluation, the Case Manager undertaking the INA will be able to identify needs that are specific to their client, psychologically and physically.

Role of a Case Manager During an Immediate Needs Assessment

Following initial contact with the client, one of our committed Case Managers will visit the individual to undertake a comprehensive assessment. The selected Case Manager will understand the injury as well as the complications this will have on the client’s daily functioning. Throughout the assessment, the Case Manager will record the nature and extent of the injuries, understanding the likely impact on various aspects of the individual’s life.

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What is Included Within an INA?

Once the Case Manager has provided an assessment, they will prepare a highly-detailed report that showcases the short-term immediate needs of the client. Taking multiple hours to complete, the report provides legal teams, insurers, and other stakeholders involved in the client’s rehabilitation a detailed overview and recommendations from the client’s Case Manager.

Typically, the INA report will include SMART (Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) objectives with recommendations on how to reach these. Recommendations that could be included are:

  • Care and rehabilitative requirements
  • Necessary equipment
  • If required, home adaptations
  • Estimates for associated costs

Through the complete nature of the report, it becomes an important tool in ensuring the client receives appropriate support and resources tailored to their specific needs.