NASC organisations and NASC assessments

NASC organisations and processes

A Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation assesses a person’s eligibility and need for health-funded support services. NASCs typically undertake three functions: 

  • facilitating assessment of disability support needs
  • service/support planning and co-ordination (including allocating government-funded services)
  • managing an indicative budget on behalf of the funder.

NASCs are funded through the Ministry of Health or District Health Boards. There are generally three types of NASCs in most areas, each catering for different populations. The names for each NASC can vary from region to region, but the general designations and grouping are:

  • Disabled People – Disability focused NASCs are funded by the Ministry of Health to work with disabled people with a lifelong impairment, usually under 65 years. This is primarily to help them identify their goals, disability support needs, natural supports and to outline what disability support services are available. They allocate Ministry-funded support services and assist with accessing other supports.
  • Older People/DHB NASCs – Services for older people with age-related needs are accessed through NASCs funded by District Health Boards. DHB NASCs also co-ordinate access to short-term support services for younger adults following illness or hospitalisation, home-based services for people who have palliative care needs, and services for people under 65 years who have a disability as a result of chronic disease.
  • Mental Health NASCs – Mental Health NASCs are funded by District Health Boards to undertake needs assessments and service co-ordination for people with mental health and/or addiction related needs.
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NASC assessment reports

NASC assessment reports can provide valuable information for medical practitioners completing the medical certificate for this benefit. However, a NASC assessment is not a requirement for this benefit.

A NASC assessment report will typically include consideration of the person’s:

  • living situation and support networks
  • health and disability conditions and the related needs
  • personal care and household management capacity
  • memory, cognition and behaviour
  • aspirations and needs, including social, education, and vocational goals.

The NASC assessment is used to assist the person and the NASC service co-ordinator to determine the best mix of supports based on their own strengths, resources and goals. This will form the person’s individual support plan. The supports or services are then delivered by people in the person’s networks, community or by service providers.

The assessment also considers the needs of the carer, including access to carer respite.

In the NASC process, the assessment report should be signed off by the person. They will generally hold a copy which may be obtained from them. Alternatively, their permission could be sought to ask the NASC for information.

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