What's the Common Assessment Framework then .......

Background
The development of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) can be traced back to The Victoria Climbie Inquiry (The Laming Report), which made a number of recommendations to Government in order to improve protection for children.

The recommendations included the need for Local Authorities to:

"Establish reliable ways of assessing the needs and circumstances of children in their area..."

The CAF has been developed for use by practitioners in all organisations so that they can communicate and work more effectively together.

What is the Common Assessment Framework (CAF)?
The CAF is a national, standardised approach to conducting a holistic assessment of the needs of a child or young person and deciding how their needs should be met. It will enable and support early intervention, and cross-agency working.

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key component in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme, whose aim is to ensure that every child and young person receives the services which they need at the earliest opportunity.

Why do we need a Common Assessment Framework?
As indicated above, the CAF will support early intervention and effective working across agencies.

As CAF information will follow the child, it will also address:

• children/their families being assessed and asked for the same information time and time again

• some children having important needs overlooked because they fall outside the remit of the assessing agency

Additionally The CAF will improve inter-agency referrals, and provide information which can be used to identify levels of need and any gaps in provision.

Is CAF just for staff in statutory agencies?
No. Many voluntary organisations will be the primary access point for children and young people in vulnerable groups. It is important, therefore, that staff in those organisations understand the CAF process.

Is there any CAF training available in Hampshire?
Yes. Hampshire County Council Children's Services Department are providing free CAF training. This is available to all agencies, including the voluntary sector.

What sort of training is available?

There are four different training courses available.

CAF Awareness (half day course)
All staff in organisations providing services to children, young people, and their families, would benefit from an awareness of the CAF process; especially those who may request or initiate CAFs, but who may not directly undertake a CAF assessment or complete the CAF form.

CAF Completers (1 day course)
This is for staff - in organisations which provide and/or assess services to children, young people, and their families - who have been identified by their parent organisation as being required to conduct CAF assessments and complete the CAF form. The CAF Completers training incorporates the CAF Awareness training.
N.B. it is essential that staff attending the CAF Completers training should also attend the Multi-Agency Information Sharing training (see below); and it is recommended by the CAF Training Project that the Information Sharing training precedes the CAF training wherever possible.

Train the Trainers (1 plus half day course)
Staff attending this course will be trained to deliver CAF Awareness and CAF Completer training. They will be expected to help roll out CAF training in Hampshire and will be expected to commit to providing a minimum of five sessions per year.

Multi-Agency Information Sharing (half day course)
All staff in organisations providing services to children, young people, and their families would benefit from knowing the legal regulations of Information Sharing.

N.B. The CAF training currently available is focused on the 4 CAF Pathfinder areas in Hampshire: Rushmoor, Basingstoke, Gosport, and Havant; and the Targeted Youth Support Pathfinder in Test Valley. However, this training will eventually be rolled out to other areas of Hampshire. Staff from voluntary organisations who attend training in the Pathfinder areas will have their expenses reimbursed.

more information on the DFES site http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/caf/