Guidance for workers on how and when to convene a
CAF Meeting and how to identify the Lead
Professional
Introduction
This leaflet will provide practical guidance about convening a CAF Meeting and
identifying the Lead Professional. In most cases referring to the
CAF Policy and Procedures and/or seeking advice from your line manager or
CAF Co-ordinator on should resolve any queries. More information can be
accessed on our website: www.wakefield.gov.uk/caf
What is a CAF Meeting and when to hold one
CAF Meetings are a tool for workers in all agencies and organisations. The meetings are for complex
cases and should be considered when:
You have exhausted the services and resources of your own agency and the need/concern
remains.
You have consulted with other agencies that may be able to offer assistance of direct
services which may meet the need or help to reduce the concerns.
Telephone sharing of information is not enough.
The family's needs cannot be satisfactorily linked to your services.
There is a need to arrange close co-ordination of different agencies with the family.
If you are not sure please seek advice from with your line manager or CAF Co-ordinator.
NB A CAF Meeting can only be held with consent.
If you are calling a multi-agency meeting considering the complex need of children and young
people this is a CAF Meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to address the holistic needs of the child/young person as identified in
the Common Assessment (CAF).
The meeting should:Allow everyone present to share information.
Analyse information and draw a clear plan of action.
Identify tasks roles and timescales.
Identify who will be the Lead Professional.
The success of CAF Meetings relies on agencies having a genuine desire to work together and work
openly with families. They can be called by any agency.
What do I need to do before the meeting?
Agree to hold CAF meeting with family child/young person
Gain agreement to share information
Check if a Common Assessment has been completed ( contact the CAF co-ordinator)
Update or complete a Common Assessment- see leaflet on our website on how to complete
CAF or seek advice from your line manager/CAF Co-ordinator.
Agree with family who will be invited to the meeting
Forward the Common Assessment and CAF Meeting
Agenda with the invitation
Record date of request and outcomes.
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Who should attend?
The child depending on their age and family must be invited to the meeting and you must have gained their
consent. It is important that every effort is made to facilitate their attendance, this may mean providing
transport.
The meeting should include:
Those with a direct and relevant involvement with the child and family (workers and other
family members/close friends).
Those who may be able to offer support/services to the family.
Those who have relevant information to share in the meeting.
If a CAF Meeting is arranged and the child/young person/family do not attend it is at the discretion of the
Chair to decide whether the meeting will go ahead. If it is decided to go ahead the outcome of the meeting
must be shared with the child/young person/family, unless child protection issues are identified. The venue
should be the most convenient and comfortable place to meet for a confidential discussion. It could be the
family home if this is appropriate.
What happens at the CAF Meeting?
The convenor of the meeting has responsibility for arranging for a Chair and minute
taker. (The minute taker can be agreed at the meeting).
The Chair/ Lead Professional should meet with the family prior to the meeting to
ensure they are prepared and understand the process.
The chair should go through the CAF Agenda which would have been forwarded with
the invitations.
Ensure that everyone has read the CAF. Take
comments/amendments on the CAF. Ensure the
agenda is followed.
Share any additional information.
Agree who the Lead Professionals will be.
Develop a CAF Plan of action to address the concern. Set a
date for a review meeting.
The Agenda (things to discuss), monitoring and CAF forms can be accessed via our website:
www.wakefield.gov.uk/caf or one of the CAF co-ordinators on Tel: 01924 304914.
You can also find the electronic monitoring forms on our website.
What to do after the meeting
The Lead Professional will arrange for the action plan to be distributed to:
Those in attendance
Those who were invited and did not attend
Those who need to be aware of the Action Plan
Complete the CAF registration form and forward the documents to the CAF
Co-ordinator at: [email protected]
All Common Assessments and CAF Plans should be kept on file and stored securely using your own
systems. For monitoring and evaluation purposes please complete the electronic monitoring forms and
forward to the CAF Co-ordinators at: [email protected]
It is the responsibility of the lead professional to ensure the plan is reviewed and progress monitored. In
most case this will be three monthly for the initial review and 3 monthly after this. Reviews should involve
the family and can be called at anytime to address changes in the plan and make other plans as the need
arises.
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What is a lead professional?
The Lead Professional acts as a single point of contact that the child or young person and their family can
trust, and who is able to support them in making choices and in navigating their way through the system.
The Lead Professional ensures that they get appropriate interventions when needed, which are well
planned, regularly reviewed and effectively delivered. The Lead Professional encourages professionals to
work together in the interest of the child and reduces overlap and inconsistency from other practitioners.
The lead professional will be chosen from the workers attending the CAF Meeting.
Things to considering when choosing who will be the Lead Professional
Which agency has main responsibility for addressing the child, young person or family's needs,
including statutory responsibility?
Does anyone have a previous or potential ongoing relationship with the child or young person?
Does anyone have an ongoing responsibility to carry out an advocacy role for the child or young
person?
In cases where there is an allocated children and families social worker the social worker will be the Lead
Professional. If there are disagreements you will need to discuss this with your line manager.
If you need any further information please contact the CAF Team at: [email protected]
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