What is the CAF?
The CAF is a national, standard approach to conducting an assessment of the needs of a child or young person to help focus decision on how the need should be met. It has been developed as a common assessment form for use by practitioners in all agencies (voluntary as well as statutory) so that they can communicate and work more effectively together. It will support earlier intervention by providing a tool to enable practitioners in universal, as well as targeted or specialist services, to assess needs at an early stage. It aims to potentially be the main method whereby early needs are assessed by agencies, reducing the number and scale of specific assessments.
What is the difference between Lewisham Information Sharing and Assessment (LISA) and CAF?
CAF one element of the Every Child Matters integrated process that is implemented through the LISA team.
The LISA child index is used as a platform to deliver CAF. Practitioners can check on the system to see if a CAF has been completed, when it was completed and by who. Practitioners can continue to log issues on the child index system without completing a CAF if one is not required. If one is being completed practitioners can add to it, or if already completed obtain it (with permission) which saves them time and prevents duplication.
What is the benefit of using the CAF form to what we currently do now?
CAF is a simple screening tool, based on the five Every Child Matters outcomes. CAF is a holistic assessment and planning record. The intention is that the CAF form and processes will replace current assessment and planning systems rather than add an extra layer of bureaucracy.
When do I use the CAF form?
CAF is about early identification and meeting of need. It is likely to be useful when a child or young person is not making the progress that they should be, but the single agency practitioner is not clear about the underlying issues or what might help. It is necessary when the child or young person need the support of more than one agency to ensure their needs are met.
Who should complete the CAF?
Agencies must agree within their teams which practitioners will be trained to undertake CAF assessments. For example, in a school it will not necessarily be a teacher who undertakes the assessment, it could be a Learning Mentor or SENCO. Even practitioners already skilled in completing assessments will need to have some training so they have knowledge about the CAF, including an understanding of who in their area of work will be undertaking assessments.
How would the CAF Form be stored?
The CAF form will be held by the assessing agency and stored securely as a part of their case records. The CAF forms are available electronically as a word document, but the processes will be paper based.
How can I use the CAF form to share information?
Subject to consent from the child/young person, or parent/carer, and it being in the best interests of the child, information should be shared between practitioners and services on a need to know basis and where it is necessary to enable joint working or in support of a referral. Practitioners will need to be aware of and, where appropriate, check with families regarding the sharing of this information.
How do I get access to a completed CAF?
Prior to starting a CAF, practitioners should always phone the LISA Helpdesk number 020 7138 1285 to establish if there is a CAF in existence. Those trained on the LISA index can check this directly. If a CAF has been completed by another practitioner they will be able to obtain a copy of the CAF (with consent) which will save them time as they may not need to complete one. They also may be able to add to one if still being completed. If one is not in existence they will register they are starting one.
Will CAF require extra training?
We are currently running multi agency training. There may be some skills gaps, but the CAF is a fairly easy form to complete therefore only basic training is necessary.
What about specialist assessments?
CAF is designed to provide the basis of any specialist assessment, and make it quicker and easier to complete. CAF will also bring together the goals of specialist interventions into a shared and coherent plan.
What happens if there is already a multi agency meeting forum or family support meeting, do we have to set-up a new for the purpose of CAF?
If as a result of the CAF a multi-agency Family Support Meeting is convened, Practitioners will meet to discuss how to best meet the need with young person and their family present.. At this stage the CAF can be added to and signed off with the appropriate action points and a copy given to the family by the Lead Professional, and will be updated after all the action have being carried out. If a multi-agency/disciplinary forum already exist, like the Behavioural Education Support Team (BEST) or Multi Agency Planning Pathway (MAPP) teams, such forums can invite other professionals to their meetings to look at the best ways of meeting the need. Where there is no established forum the LISA family support meeting model will be set up.
How can I receive support and information about the CAF process and implementation?
A CAF multi-agency support meeting has been set up to support the CAF implementation process and progress. The forum will be used to discuss implementation, process and practitioners experiences of the CAF to date. The Professional Advisors (PA’s) in the LISA team are available to provide support to practitioners in relation to both implementation and completion of the CAF. Please do not hesitate to contact them between Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm on: 020 7138 1285.
Do I have to complete a CAF form for every vulnerable child?
There is no need to complete a CAF for every child you are currently working with. Children who are progressing well, or have needs that are already being met through service delivery will not require one. if the need is identified and met within a single agency, there will be no need to complete the CAF form, but the need should be logged on the LISA index system to prevent others making referrals around the same need. If the need cannot be met within the single agency, than a CAF form should be completed.
Why should I take part?
We all want a positive outcome for the children in our services and the CAF will contribute to achieving this goal. Every agency should be working towards the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda in one form or another. The CAF is part of the integrated processes of the ECM agenda, which will help agencies to improve joint working, communication and information sharing. In time it will also help reduce duplication and therefore save time. The implementation of the CAF will further help agencies meet the new obligations set by Sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004 (these create duties to co-operate to improve well-being and make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children below the age of 18. They also apply to young people over 18 who require certain services).
Would Social Care accept the CAF as a referral form?
Social Care will accept the CAF instead of the Part A referral form for complex and Child Protection referrals. This will save practitioners time, as only one form is necessary. It will also provide Social Care, with good quality information which should help reduce their assessment time. Where there are immediate safeguarding concerns follow the local Child Protection Procedure.
For more information on the CAF and CAF training please contact LISA.