HSE to contact families of 10,000 children who got unlawful assessment of need

The preliminary assessments were deemed to be unlawful because a full and comprehensive assessment of a child’s needs is required under the 2005 Disability Act. 

The HSE has confirmed it will contact the families of 10,000 children who underwent an assessment of need using a screening procedure now deemed unlawful, to see if they want their case reviewed. 

A standard operating procedure for assessment of need was implemented for all new applications from January 15, 2020, in the face of stiff opposition from psychologists, therapists and others.