The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key component in the
Every Child Matters Change for Children programme.
The CAF is a shared assessment tool used throughout the City of
London and across all children’s services in England. The CAF is
aimed at children and young people with additional needs, aged
0-18, including unborn babies and young people up to the age of 25
with learning difficulties or disabilities. It aims
improve how professionals support children and young people by
identifying their needs earlier and then provide appropriate
support; as well as promote coordinated services.
The CAF is a process to be used by all practitioners in the City
of London working directly or indirectly with children, young
people and their families.
The CAF process is set up in the following stages:
- Pre-assessment checklist, to help practitioners make a decision
about whether a common assessment is required.
- Preparation, which includes;
-
- gathering information;
- discussion with the child or young person, and their
family.
- Delivery process
-
- delivery of the agreed services;
- review of services and support at regular intervals; and
- closure when needs is met.
- CAF form, which is used to record discussions with the child,
young person and family. The form can then be shared (as a
referral), with consent to agreed services and professionals to
provide support.
We have provided more information tailored to your needs. Please
visit the following links to if you are:
- A professional working with children and young people;
- A parent of a child or young person who has been
supported by the CAF process;
- A child or young person.
More information on integrated working can be found at the
following websites:
eCAF
What is eCAF?
The ‘electronic enablement of the CAF’ (eCAF) has been designed as
a technological response to support cross borough and multi-agency
working. Similar to a completed CAF form, an eCAF, consent needs to
be given before information can be shared. Once this occurs, the
secure sharing of information between agencies agreed on the action
plan can occur. Professionals will have to have training and
require security codes to access information sent via an
eCAF.
Is eCAF working in the City of London?
Nationally, eCAF is being piloted across a number of boroughs.
Whilst the City of London are not part of the pilot, provisions are
in place to ensure that when eCAF is made available nationally, the
present Integrated Children’s System will transfer necessary and
relevant information as the compatible.