The Common Assessment Framework

1. TheCommon Assessment Framework Delivered by: Gill Downton Bromley CAF Team

2. The Common Assessment Framework • A standardised method of assessment for assessing children and young peoples needs. Recognising that promoting the well-being of children and young people and safeguarding them from harm is everyone’s business • Be proactive – identify concerns as early as possibleand initiate actions • Relevant to any agency who provides a service to children and young people and will support multi-agency working together

3. 3 Dimensional Child/YP seen in the context of the whole family & community 2 Dimensional The focus is on the whole child 1 Dimensional The focus is on the needs relevant to your agency Holistic Assessment

4. Early Intervention (Cover of The Second Independent Report by Graham Allen MP)

5. The CAF is NOT simply a FORM to fill in! It is a PROCESS which is supported by a standard form The process includes: • A holistic assessment focussing on needs and strengths • Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings • A multi-agency action plan instead of several uncoordinated single agency plans • A Lead Professional • A review process

6. Role of the CAF Team The CAF Team (4.2 FTE inc Manager and Administrator) is responsible for: - • providing appropriate training, support, advice and information to practitioners using the framework; • offering a chairing facility for complex ‘Team Around the Child’ meetings; • the management of Information Systems relating to CAF including a central depository for all CAFs; • monitoring and auditing CAF implementation & progress within Bromley.

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8. TAC Meetings • Where a TAC meeting is chaired by the CAF Team and the consensus is that a referral to Children’s Social Care (CSC) is required the CAF Team will make the referral and escalate it as appropriate • If the case is not accepted as a referral the CAF Team can continue to support with ongoing TACs

9. Step-down from CSC • The Social Worker (SW) will contact the preferred Lead Professional (LP) and discuss step down with them. If the family give consent, the SW can share a copy of their recent assessment report with the LP. The ongoing needs must be clearly identified and a proposed action plan put in place. The LP should then register a copy of the shared assessment and agreed Action Plan with the CAF Team. • If the child has complex multiple needs, good practice should mean that the SW arranges a final case closure/ Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting and invites the LP to the meeting as well as other practitioners. The young person (where age appropriate) and/or parent/carer(s) must also be present.

10. Benefits • Early intervention • Improved joint working • Much clearer information about family situations – a structure under which to gather that information • Parent/carer engagement & empowerment • Parent/carer and/or Young Person given a voice • Via TACs/consultation • Multiagency 3 dimensional approach • A multiagency plan instead of several service specific plans – reducing overlap, common goals and shared responsibility • Engagement of agencies • Preserved history – a picture built up over time* • Myth blowing assumptions about who is involved and doing what*

11. CAF use within Bromley

12. CAFs via age range 2010/11

13. Other sources of information • CAF Practitioner and Managers Guides (July 09) http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/resources-and-practice/IG00063 • Information sharing guidance and training materials www.ecm.gov.uk/informationsharing • Bromley Safeguarding Children Board (info re CAF Training, relevant guidance and CAF Form) http://www.bromleysafeguarding.org/

14. Any Questions?