Role of Lead Practitioner

The role of Lead Practitioner is to co-ordinate the delivery of agreed actions identified within the CAF Assessment/during Panels.

The Lead Practitioner acts a single point of contact for the child/family, particularly where multi-agency support is being delivered. Repetition and overlap of services is reduced as a result of this effective co-ordination. These functions are carried out in conjunction with each practitioner's current role, and is not a new role in itself.

Who should be the Lead Practitioner?

Usually, the Lead Practitioner should be someone already working with the child, who volunteers to take the role by self-declaration and who the child and family are able to relate to as someone they are comfortable talking to.

The role can be taken on by various child-related practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and competence to develop a good relationship with the child/family, co-ordinate service delivery and work in partnership with other practitioners to ensure delivery of the support plan.

During Panels a Lead Practitioner may be nominated according to who is the most appropriate person to take the role at that time.