What is the Common Assessment Framework?
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key component of the Every Child Matters agenda. It is a tool to support a more streamlined way of working across all services to promote early intervention and improve multi agency working.
Practitioners gather holistic information at the earliest possible opportunity about the needs and strengths of a child, young person or family and plan a response to meet those needs.
The CAF brings a standard national approach to working with children and families. It supports earlier intervention, improves joint working and communication, supports the sharing of information and rationalises assessments.The CAF is supported by a standard documentation used across all services working with children, young people and/or families.
What are the principles and benefits?
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It is a process supported by a standard form
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It is a holistic assessment which focuses on strengths and needs
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It is simple and practical
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It is empowering for children, young people and families as they are partners in the process
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It cannot guarantee service provision from other agencies but provides methods of sharing information and evidencing need
It prevents children, young people and families having to retell their story
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It promotes common practice across services
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It identifies gaps in provision
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It is an early intervention tool
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It reassures the practitioner that they have considered the whole picture
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It is recognised across all agencies
What is the process?
Where a multi agency respone is identified from the CAF assessment a Team Around the Family (TAF) is brought together to develop a multi agency Support Plan and a Lead practitioner is identified.
Further guidance can be found in the Gateshead Protocol on: The Common Assessment Framework, Team Around the Family and the Role of the Lead Practitioner.