Common Assessment
Framework
(CAF)
Karen Weaver
What is the Common Assessment Framework
• A way of working out what extra support your child
may need, and how best to provide it.
• A voluntary process.
• A way for children/young people and their families to
work in partnership with agencies and professionals.
• Help families to identify what is going well for them,
and build a plan with solutions to meet extra needs
that are identified.
What are you hoping to find out
today?
Find out how CAF can help you to support
your child
• Share your story once
• One point of contact
• Work together with agencies to find
solutions to support your child’s needs
Levels of Need
When should CAF be used?
• When a child’s needs are not being met by universal
services
• To prevent needs from escalating
• When needs have been identified and a multi-agency
response is required
• To refer between agencies or when a multi-agency
approach is likely
• To co-ordinate all agencies involved with the family
• To provide accurate information to support referral to
specialist services
Underpinning Principles of CAF
• Child and family focused – inclusive of child and family
• Holistic – covers all areas of need
• Geared towards practical and appropriate solutions – Delivery
Plans
• Solution Focused
• Looks at strengths as well as needs
• Reduces duplication- information will follow the child
• Undertaken by any CAF trained professionals working with
children, young people and families
THE TEAM AROUND THE CHILD
The CAF Episode
• Common Assessment/Early Help Assessment
 All areas of need
• Team Around the Family (TAF) Meeting
Professionals and Family together
 Summary of Needs/Strengths
 Desired Outcomes
 Delivery Plan
• TAF Review Meetings
 Updated Delivery Plan
 Review of outcomes and resources
Holistic Early Help Assessment
Community
Income
Family History
Housing
Resources
& Functioning
Family's Social Integration
Employment
Wider Family
TAF (1)
• A TAF is set up whenever a Common Assessment
identifies that the child / young person has additional
needs requiring a multi-agency approach
• The professional that carried out the Common
Assessment is responsible for convening the TAF and
for identifying who needs be invited considering the
views of the family
• The Child / Young Person and family should always
be involved
• The TAF should be held within 10 working days of the
Common Assessment being completed
TAF (2)
The main purpose of the TAF is:
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To share information
To pull together a family support delivery plan to meet the
assessed needs of the child / young person and family
To consider whether any specialist referral is required
To Identify who will be the Lead Professional/Key Worker
To state when the delivery plan will be reviewed
To identify what needs cannot be met
Role of the Lead Professional
• The Lead Professional will have responsibility for
overseeing and co-ordinating the plan
• The Lead Professional can be any practitioner
working with children, young people and families
• Is agreed, where possible, at the TAF Meeting
• Acts as a single point of contact that children, young
people and families can trust to manage their plan
• The Lead Professional is able to support children,
young people and families in making positive choices
Role of the Key Worker
• Holds family CAF.
• Work within Children & Families First Team.
• Has primary relationship with whole family (child
central)
• Works with whole family
• Coordinates delivery plan at Level 3
• Convenes and chairs TAF Meetings
Lead Professional Family Support Budget
• Budget available for provision of practical
family support
• Assessed needs via CAF
• Lead Professional/Key Worker applies for
funding
Activity - Your Turn
• What extra needs do you think CAF
could support?
The list is endless!
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Special educational needs
Poor attendance/exclusion from school
Experiencing bullying
Disruptive/anti-social
Parental conflict or lack of parental
support/boundaries
• Involvement in or risk of offending
• Disabilities
• Disengagement from education.
The list continues!
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Poor nutrition
Ill Health
Substance misuse
Anxiety/depression
Domestic Violence
Housing issues
Teenage pregnancy
Young Carers
CAF Support for your family
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Talk to any one of the following people for
further information
School
Health Visitor
School Nurse
SEND Information, Advice & Support
Service
Youth Worker
Or call the Children & Families Service
(Contact details on next slide)
On hand for advice and support…
CAF Strategic Lead
Meriel Barnes – South Office
024 7678 6810
[email protected]
NORTH EAST
CAF Team Manager
Karen Weaver – South Office
024 7678 6810
[email protected]
NORTH WEST
SOUTH
Based at Children & Family
First NE
Based at Children & Family First
NW
Based at Children & Family First
South
Coundon Neighbourhood Centre
312 Charter Avenue
Moat House Leisure Centre
82 Moseley Avenue
Canley
Winston Avenue
Coventry, CV6 1AB
Coventry, CV4 8DA
Coventry, CV2 1DX
CAF Coordinators
CAF Coordinator
Jeanette Walsh
Kerrie Holdback
Fiona Wiggins
Sue Wilson
Dawn Carville
Lucy Simper
Lyndsey Moore
Vacancy
Vacancy
Lindsay Martin
Work: 024 7678 6808
Work: 024 7678 6879
CAF Coordinators
Work: 024 7678 6810
Questions and Answers
Thank you for attending