Common Assessment Framework (CAF) in

Middlesbrough

CAF/Locality TeamGena Birchall

Attendance and Behaviour Team

Cherry Barker

CAF as part of the big picture

CAF is one part of integrated working

processes

ECM 5 priority outcomes:

• Be healthy• Stay safe• Enjoy and

achieve• Make a

positive contribution

• Economic well being

Key aims and principles of the CAFAims

A standard national approach Assessment to support earlier intervention Improve joint working and communication Support the sharing of information Rationalise assessments Better referrals

Key aims and principles of the CAF

Principles A process supported by a standard form Holistic Focuses on needs and strengths Simple and practical Empowering and a joint process Low level, preventative support

When to undertake a common assessmentUndertake a common assessment when it will help the child/young

person to achieve one or more of the ECM five priority outcomes

Follow ACPC/LSCB procedures where appropriate

Likely to be of help when:• There are concerns abut

progress• Needs are unclear• Support of more than one

agency is needed

Need not be done when:• Progress is good• Needs are identified and are

being met• Needs are clear and can be met

by family/assessing agency

Who will use the CAF? Every practitioner should:

– Be able to recognise and respond to key signs of need

– Know the CAF basics– Know how to have a common

assessment completed or how to complete one

Every agency will train some staff to complete common assessments

Where more than one practitioner is involved, one will take the lead

Agencies (statutory, community or voluntary sector) include:

HealthEducationConnexionsChildcareEarly yearsSocial carePolice and Youth justice Housing

CAF in Middlesbrough

Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, August 2005 – March 2008

Dedicated team able to support everyone who works with children and young people

205 CAF assessments completed

CAF in Middlesbrough

Four Children and Young People’s Support Panels in each locality

• East• Central• South• North

Meet fortnightly

CAF in Middlesbrough

Locality Panel• Multi Agency• ‘Core’ members• Other agencies invited to meet particular needs• Design Support Plan • Agree Lead Professional – who will make sure

different parts of Support Plan are carried out and co-ordinate support

• Agree review date

CAF in Middlesbrough

Multi-agency training Awareness raising/briefing

sessions Seminars CAF Register CAF/Locality Team

CAF and Attendance and Behaviour

CAF Panels: Allow children, young people and their

families a voice Allow families direct access to a range

of key services Encourage parents to contribute to and

influence the Support Plan

CAF and Attendance and Behaviour

CAF Process and Panels: Highlight agencies who are involved

and those who are not Reveal gaps in provision Provides a needs analysis for service

development

CAF and Attendance and Behaviour

Not sorted yet: The ‘awesome’ factor Number of agencies round the table Time it takes from writing the

assessment to discussion at panel

CAF and Attendance and Behaviour

We are proud of: The response to the CAF process The number of assessments completed Multi-agency working Schools input to CAF – 87 assessments

(42% of total)

In groups – please discuss how far your local authority/agency/service is in rolling out CAF.

Please choose one person to feed back to group.

Contact Details

Gena Birchall

01642 513100

Cherry Barker

01642 201848