Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN)

The Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) has been the key measure for assessing the health and social needs of people with mental health problems for two decades. Aimed at mental health workers or researchers, it is suitable for clinical use in both community-based and hospital-based mental health services. Updated chapters bring guidance into line with modern social contexts, for example questions regarding 'Child Care' now focus on 'Dependents', reflecting changes relating to an ageing population. An extensive training programme and list of frequently asked questions are informed by the authors' decades of experience in using this essential resource. Containing four versions of the CAN (CANSAS, CANSAS-P, CAN-C, CAN-R) for use in different situations, systematic guidance for how to complete the assessments is also included in the book. Ready to use assessment forms are freely available to download from the CAN website (researchintorecovery.com/can) and on cambridge.org for use with service users.

• No additional training is needed for the assessment to be completed by mental health workers or researchers
• Contains blank forms for each of the four measures for scanning or photocopying, and downloadable versions are also freely available on the CAN website and the Cambridge University Press website
• Modernises the CAN for the current social contexts, reflecting changes in the populations, as well as developments in research and understanding of psychiatry
• Greatly expands the guidance from previous versions, with suggested structures and information to explain the rating system if needed
• Contains a list of frequently asked questions and advice informed by the authors' decades of experience teaching clinicians and researchers how to use the assessment