The assessment to outcomes process allows agencies to evaluate a client and their family's entire situation in order to identify and address core needs that may not be obvious on the application but which may hinder their ability to be self sufficient.
The assessment to outcome process meets the needs of clients in two ways: through the use of assessment tools that are designed to identify client strengths and needs and through the use of outcome plans that are used to identify, schedule and manage activities that will ultimately lead to positive outcomes. For example, a family's strengths and needs can be assessed in order to identify the most appropriate activities to obtain a desired outcome, such as returning the child to the home.
An integrated case can be used to consolidate and manage a family's assessments and outcome plans. For example, an assessment can be run against multiple family members from within an integrated case in order to identify their strengths and needs.
An outcome plan is created for the family to deliver the most appropriate activities to obtain a desired, sustainable outcome. For example, service deliveries and referrals to services can also be added to outcome plans as activities that are recommended by the organization in order to move clients towards formally agreed objectives and sustainable outcomes.
Outcome management also includes tools that allow a family to be regularly reassessed to see if there have been any changes to its strengths or needs. Additionally tools that measure the difference that these activities make to members of the family, and ultimately how successful the outcome plan is, are provided.
For further information on how assessments and outcome management is used to meet the needs of clients, see the Cúram Outcome Management Guide.