ABSTRACT
The model of population needs assessments for local authorities developed by Social Services Research and Development Unit can take the form either of a paper-based exercise or a computer program. Potential populations of adults in need are established by applying national disability prevalence rates to local census-based population projection figures, divided on an area basis and into relevant age groups. The authority's information systems did not provide a means for equating the population-based analysis nor the profile of actual service users with budgets. As is generally recognised in population needs assessment literature, the costing of individual cases, when undertaken outside an operational context, results in a generally over-optimistic view of what will be provided. New unitary authorities will have to continue to wrangle this community care 'squeeze', as well as to develop new ways to gauge numbers and costs of children in need.
