What’s a functional capacity assessment?

Functional capacity refers to an individual’s ability to be involved in life situations and to execute tasks or actions, with and without assistance (assistive devices and/or personal assistance). Information regarding impairment(s) and environmental factors, and how they impact the individual’s function is included when assessing functional capacity (NDIS, 2020).

Functional capacity assessments (FCA’s) are a comprehensive evaluation of your engagement in day-to-day living. The instances a FCA are needed include NDIS applications, standard reviews, and changes in circumstances.  

I provide functional capacity assessments (FCA’s) online and in the South West of Western Australia.

 I thought only Occupational Therapists can provide a functional capacity assessments?

As Social Work is one of my professions, I am approved by NDIS to provide functional capacity assessments for psychosocial disabilities, autism, FASD, and intellectual disabilities. The AASW Social Work Scope of Practice: Social Work in Disability (2016, p.5) also states Social Workers specialise in psychosocial, capacity, functioning, and development assessments. However, you do need an OT to provide an FCA for communication, learning, and mobility.

 Why should I use you for functional capacity assessments?

Social Workers specialise in a ‘person-in-environment’ perspective through an holistic analysis of bio-psycho-social complexities. In short, a Social Work degree explores how various circumstances and experiences affect people. My other education in therapy further explores how people respond to and overcome problems. I have a background in social work, complex trauma, and psychotherapy, as well as registration as an NDIS positive behaviour support practitioner and training in neuroaffirming practice. This will give your FCA an edge for NDIS.

Despite my background, I see you as ‘the captain of the ship’. This means that you are the consultant, that I’m here to consult with you on your expertise of your disability and impairments. I want to hear from you about what you want/need in your life, what helps you get there, and what gets in the way. Below describes a little about the process…

What’s the assessment process look like?

Step 1: First, we meet at your preferred place for a cuppa and an initial consult. We talk about how this is a collaborative process, that you are seen as an expert in your life, and that I’m here to consult with you. I also ask a bit more about you and your reasons for an FCA.

Step 2: We then meet at your home (or Telehealth if that’s your preference) so I can consult with you about how you engage in the environment you’re in. We will go through several assessments to discuss and explore strengths, impairment, and disability. Some of the domains we explore include physical health, emotional regulation, community participation, and daily activities.

Step 3: Once I have all the information, I will write up the report within a few weeks. The report will be written according to NDIS requirements, including reasonable and necessary, and include recommendations. You will receive a full copy of the report. We can make any adjustments necessary.

Step 4: I can provide ongoing support, especially in relation to therapy and ensuring you receive necessary resources. However, ongoing support is therapy and/or social work, so is an additional service to the cost of the report. Therapy plans and therapy reviews are another ongoing support option (see below).

What’s the cost and duration?

These reports can be quite lengthy, around 8 hours for a partial assessment or 15-20 hours for a full assessment.

For those with an NDIS plan, fees are $193.99 per hour but are capped under 15 hours at $2,750, with any additional hours absorbed into the capped rate. You may only require a partial report, in which case cost $193.99 per hour and capped at 8 hours.

For clients without an NDIS plan the full assessment rate is capped at a discounted rate of $2,500, which can be paid in instalments. The full copy of the report will be released at final payment.

 Therapy plans and reviews are important in many instances.

For NDIS, they are important because we can direct your NDIS team to provide best practice in line with your therapy and NDIS goals. This is especially important in providing mental health trauma-informed care.

I can provide reports in other instances, including for your drug and alcohol rehab, court, or other health professional.

 Costs vary, depending on length. My report writing rate in these instances is $150 per hour.