Transcript Children and Young People’s Plan 2009 – 2011: Action Plan

The Common Assessment Framework
Delivered by: Gill Downton
Bromley CAF Team
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 possible and initiate actions

Relevant to any agency who provides a
service to children and young people
and will support multi-agency working
together
Holistic Assessment
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
Early Intervention
(Cover of The Second Independent Report by Graham Allen MP)
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
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.
7
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
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.
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*
CAF use within Bromley
Growth of CAF use within Bromley
500
450
466
400
350
377
300
250
200
150
194
100
50
0
2008/9
2009/10
2010/11
CAFs via age range 2010/11
CAFs received via age range - comparison statistics between 2009/10
and 2010/11
250
210
200
184
170
150
117
96
100
36
50
13
14
1
0
Prebirth
0 to 4
5 to 10
2009/10
2010/11
11 to 16
17+
2
Other sources of information

CAF Practitioner and Managers Guides (July 09)
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/resourcesand-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/
Any Questions?