The CAF is a four-step process whereby

practitioners can identify a child's or young

person's needs early, assess those needs

holistically, deliver coordinated services and

review progress.

The CAF is designed to be used when;

• a practitioner is worried about how well a child

or young person is progressing (e.g. concerns

about their health, development, welfare,

behaviour, progress in learning or any other aspect

of their wellbeing)

• a child or young person, or their parent/carer,

raises a concern with a practitioner

• a child's or young person's needs are unclear, or

broader than the practitioner's service can

address.

The process is entirely voluntary and informed

consent is mandatory, so families do not have to

engage and if they do they can choose what

information they want to share. Children and families

should not feel stigmatised by the CAF; indeed they

can ask for a CAF to be initiated.

The CAF process is not a 'referral' process but a

'request for services'.

The CAF should be offered to children who have

additional needs to those being met by universal

services. Unless a child is presenting a need, it is

unlikely the CAF will be offered. The practitioner

assesses needs using the CAF.

The CAF is not a risk assessment.

Content of the CAFProcess for

undertaking a common assessment

Pre-assessment checklist Standard form

Parents & carers• Basic care, ensuring safety & protection • Emotional warmth & stability• Guidance, boundaries & stimulation

Development of Child• Health• Emotional & social

development • Behavioural development• Identity, including self-

esteem, self-image & social presentation

• Family & social relationships• Self-care skills &

independence• Learning

Family & Environmental

• Family history, functioning & well-being

• Wider family• Housing, financial & employment considerations

• Social & community elements & resources, including education

Domains & elements

When to undertake a common assessment

Undertake a common assessment when it will help the child/young person to achieve one or more of the ECM five priority outcomes.

Likely to be of help when:

• Age appropriate progress is not being made and causes are unclear

• The support of more than one agency is needed

Need not be done when:• Progress is satisfactory• Needs are already identified

and are being met• Needs are clear and can be

met by family/assessing agency

The 4 key steps of the CAF process

Early Support Programme

The Early Support Programme is for parents and carers of disabled children and young people from birth to adulthood. This includes coordinating support for:healtheducationsocial care

Early Support's resources help to bring service providers together with parent carers, children and young people on the basis of shared information. They ensure parent carers, children and young people remain at the centre of a holistic and integrated support process.

One valuable resource is the Early Support Family File

Visit the Early Support website for further information and to download all the resources needed to complete your own Family File.

http://www.ncb.org.uk/early-support/for-families

Where to find your local Children’s Centre

To find your nearest SureStart Children’s Centre visit the following website:

https://www.gov.uk/find-sure-start-childrens-centre

Thank You for listening!

Any questions?