Personal Social Services Research Unit
Cornwallis Building
George Allen Wing
University of Kent
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7NF
01227 827672
ascot@kent.ac.uk
www.pssru.ac.uk/ascot
levels
The distinction between the three- and four-level versions
In the three-level versions the levels in each domain are defined as:
- No needs
The individuals has no or the type of temporary trivial needs that would be expected in this area of life of someone with no impairments - Some needs
Some needs are distinguished from no needs by being sufficiently important or frequent to affect an individual's quality of life - High-level needs
High-level needs are distinguished from some needs by having mental or physical health implications if they are not met over a period of time. This may be because of severity or frequency
The top level is divided in the four-level version to distinguish no needs from the desired situation:
- Ideal state
The individual's wishes and preferences in this aspect of their life are fully met - No needs
The individuals has no or the type of temporary trivial needs that would be expected in this area of life of someone with no impairments - Some needs
Some needs are distinguished from no needs by being sufficiently important or frequent to affect an individual's quality of life - High-level needs
High-level needs are distinguished from some needs by having mental or physical health implications if they are not met over a period of time. This may be because of severity or frequency