At Bush & Co Kids, the Immediate Needs Assessment (INA) is where our relationships with children, young people and their families starts to grow. As well gaining a vital understanding of the child’s needs within rehabilitation, set expectations and produce a report that will contribute to successful outcomes it is a chance to help amplify the voice of the child and their wishes for their rehabilitation.
An Immediate Needs Assessment from Bush & Co Kids provides not only what is needed and expected as part of rehabilitation but also a chance for the child or young person and their family to be heard and understood. It’s more than a clinical assessment, it is the blueprint for rehabilitation and captures the voice of the child. That means capturing not only the child’s medical needs, but also who they are, what they care about, and how we can help them achieve their goals.
A Valuable Face-to-Face Assessment
Our assessments are always carried out face-to-face, in the child’s own environment where possible. This allows us to gain a genuine understanding of their daily life, build trust, and ensure the child’s voice is heard.
We believe every Immediate Needs Assessment should offer a balanced view—combining statutory and private options, guided by clinical reasoning, NICE guidelines, and a strong commitment to positive, realistic goals.
Our case managers make the difference. When working with children and young people and in particular at assessment stage, they adapt and assess through play and engaging activities. Many children don’t even realise they are being assessed so they can be themselves and feel comfortable with the grown-ups around them.
What’s Included in Our Reports
The voice of the child
We include a compassionate and detailed portrait of the child, in their own words —their personality, interests, routines, and the impact of their injury. This representation sets the tone for the whole report, reminding all involved that the child is not defined by their injury.
We use age-appropriate tools and creative approaches (including pictures and feelings characters) to ensure the child’s thoughts, feelings, and wishes are meaningfully included.
Clinical & Functional Needs
Our assessments look at the type and severity of injury, cognitive and executive function, behaviour and emotional regulation, sensory processing needs, communication and language, pain and fatigue and functional needs including nutrition, movement, bladder and bowel management.
Developmental and Emotional Needs
We explore the child’s personal, social, and emotional development, considering how the injury has impacted their relationships, self-esteem, and confidence.
Rehabilitation Goals and Recommendations
Our reports provide clear, achievable goals and detailed recommendations for early intervention, therapy, and support. All recommendations are backed by clinical rationale, projected outcomes, and estimated costs—to help guide case management and funding decisions.
Social Situations & Community Life
We look at peer and sibling relationships, school, nursery or college life, social engagement, hobbies and play as well as community services and equity in access of support and community involvement.
Contact us to get to know our INA Reports in more detail
Whilst we haven’t listed everything in our reports, we are happy to talk in more detail about each section of what is included to help you understand exactly how our children and young people are at the heart of our Immediate Needs Assessments.
Why Our INAs Make a Difference
Our team brings specialist expertise in paediatrics, rehabilitation, and complex care. But more than that, we bring compassion, creativity, and advocacy. Each report is crafted to not only support litigation or case planning—but to give the child and their family a sense of direction, hope, and clarity.
The Immediate Needs Assessment is just the start of a child or young person’s rehabilitation and pathway to realising their potential and at Bush & Co Kids that starts with care, insight and a voice.