A TPO Assessor is a confusing job title, it’s one of those where if you don’t know what it is, you’d have no way of figuring out what someone with this job title does!
Below, one of our TPO Assessors, Paula, breaks down what a TPO Assessor is, and what they do day-to-day.
Leading Lives is a Trusted Partner Organisation (TPO) which means we work in partnership with Suffolk County Council.
As an Assessor I carry out Care Act Reviews for Suffolk County Council customers which involves meeting and getting to know the customer, including speaking to the important people in their life, such carers, members of their family or friends, and staff of any services that the person attends.
This helps to build up a picture of the customer, how they like to live their life, their aspirations, their strengths. It also helps identify where they might need support to meet their daily living needs, such as managing their personal care, or meeting their nutritional needs etc.
All this information is recorded to identify if the customer is eligible for Suffolk County Council funding, and once the Eligibility Decision has been agreed by the social worker, I complete a Care and Support Plan with the customer to ensure they have the appropriate support they need to lead the life they choose. One that is as fulfilling and as independent as possible.
Another part of my TPO role includes carrying out Carers Assessments. This gives the carer the opportunity to discuss how their caring responsibilities have impacted their life. Suffolk County Council offers support to carers with advice and information and a support plan with a personal budget to meet the carer’s eligible needs.
Although this role, like most in social care is stressful at times, I thoroughly enjoy it, from meeting the customers to making a real difference in their lives. I have been truly humbled by the carers I have met along the way, and any small part I have played to help the customer or carer has been an absolute privilege.
