Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
 

Background

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key component in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme. The aim is to identify, at the earliest opportunity, children’s additional needs that are not being met by the universal services they are receiving, and provide timely and co-ordinated support to meet those needs.


What is the CAF?

· A process for undertaking a common assessment, to help practitioners gather and understand information about the needs and strengths of the child, based on discussions with the child, their family and other practitioners as appropriate;
· A standard form to help practitioners record, and where appropriate, share with others, the findings from the assessment in terms that are helpful in working with the family to find a response to unmet needs.
· Systems for Lead Professionals

The lead professional is not a new role. Instead, they deliver three core functions as part of their work:
1) Acting as a single point of contact for the child or family;
2) Co-ordinating the delivery of the actions agreed
3) Helping to reduce overlap and inconsistency in the services received

A lead professional will manage CAF in their own service area.

Which groups are CAF for and why do we need it

Lambeth in common with other authorities has a gap in relation to the systems required to ensure that all children with additional needs are identified and receive support to help meet their needs. Research suggests that at some point in their lives up to a third of children and young people will require some additional help and support. In Lambeth the figure is thought to be in excess of 24,000 children and young people, given the high rates of social and economic deprivation.


The CAF provides an assessment that is common across services. It will help embed a shared common language; support better understanding and communications amongst practitioners; reduce the scale of different assessments that historically some children and young people have undergone; facilitate early intervention and speed up service delivery.


For more information about CAF , how its being implemented in Lambeth and the awarness training sessions click here


For more information on CAF and how it’s being taken forward in Lambeth please contact:

Kevin GordonAssistant Director, Change Management 020 7926 8157 (Council staff and voluntary sector enquiries) Yinglen ButtChildren Integration Partnership Manager020 7414 1375 (Lambeth PCT and other NHS providers)
National guidance on CAF, Lead Professional and other Every Child Matters initiatives can be found at www.ecm.gov.uk/CAF