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3.6.12.20 Overview of the ACL questionnaire scoring regime

Summary

The following table provides an overview of the scoring process for the ACL questionnaire.

Step Action
1 For CP (child): No further steps need to be taken in the DCLA (Child) ACL questionnaire scoring, if a medical practitioner has certified that the child has a terminal condition (1.1.T.86) and the average life expectancy for a child with the same or similar condition is not substantially longer than 24 months and that because of the condition the child will need personal care for the remainder of his or her life.

For CA (child): Start at step 2.
2 Calculate a raw score for each question in Domain A of the ACL questionnaire and add these scores to calculate the total score for Domain A.
3 Calculate the care load score for Domain A using the associated conversion score table.
4-5 Repeat steps 2 - 3 for Domain B.
6 Calculate a raw score for each question in Subdomain C(1). Age adjust each score using the age adjustment table at step 13 of the DCLA and add these scores to calculate the total Subdomain C(1) score.
7 Calculate the adjusted score for Subdomain C(1) using the associated conversion score table.
8-11 Repeat Steps 6 - 7 for Subdomains C(2) and C(3).
12 Calculate the total score for Domain C by adding the adjusted Subdomain scores C1+C2+C3.
13 Calculate the care load score for Domain C using the associated conversion score table.
14 Calculate a raw score for each question in Subdomain D(1) and add these scores to calculate the total score.
15 Repeat step 14 for Subdomain D(2).
16-17 Calculate the care load score for Domain D by adding the total scores for Subdomains D(1) and D(2).
18 Calculate the ACL grand total by adding the care load scores for Domains A, B, C and D.
19 Conduct further investigation into certain cases, as required, to validate any identified anomalies and calculate the ACL adjusted total score.

If the Secretary is not satisfied that the completed ACL questionnaire is an accurate reflection of the child's functional ability, behaviour and special care needs, the Secretary may either reject the claim or amend the answers for any of the questions. In doing so the Secretary may consult with either the carer and/or the THP.

If after consultation with the carer and/or the THP, it is deemed a question has been missed or misinterpreted and the new answer/s would still be considered to be consistent with the THP report, the Secretary may amend the answer/s and vary the ACL score, for each question, up or down, in accordance with the amended answer/s.

The score for each question, as assessed by the Secretary, cannot exceed the total possible score for that question as set out in 'Scoring for ACL questionnaire'. Similarly, the score for each domain as assessed by the Secretary cannot exceed the total possible score for that domain. This applies to all questions and to all domains.

In determining whether the care load is reflected in the answers to the ACL questionnaire, the Secretary may seek further information from the carer. For example, the Secretary may suggest to the carer that they provide a school report for the child, or any other information that is relevant in determining the care load of the carer.
20 After the Secretary has considered and amended the answers and scores for all questions (Step 19), the Secretary can calculate the ACL adjusted grand total by adding (or deducting) the extra points (resulting from the amendment of the answers) to the ACL grand total.

The process of calculating a score has been automated, but the score can also be manually calculated if there is a need to confirm or explain the result.

Calculating the total scores for Domains A & B - behaviour

Steps 2 - 5 of the ACL scoring tool exist to calculate raw scores for each of the questions in each behaviour domain and to calculate the care load scores for each behaviour domain.

Calculating the total scores for Domain C - functional abilities

Steps 6 - 13 of the ACL scoring tool exist to calculate scores for each of the questions in the functional abilities domain, to calculate the care load scores for each subdomain, and assign a weighting to the scores already obtained. After adjustment, the individual scores are added together to give total scores.

This occurs at a subdomain and domain level.

Answers are rounded to 2 decimal points

Explanation: Adjustments are made in respect to the age of the child in the functional abilities domain as well as in recognition of the greater impact of certain functional subdomains and to ensure the assessment remains consistent throughout.

Scoring for Domain D - special care needs

The questions in this domain refer to a child of any age who has special care needs. The responses should be based on the child's usual and ongoing needs. The claimant must only select or provide those responses that describe the child's needs and/or the care provided.

This occurs at a subdomain and domain level, and is applied to the ACL at steps 14 - 17.

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