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Common Assessment Framework
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is for parents, carers, children and young people who have additional needs. It is a key component in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme, the aim of which is to ensure that every child receives the universal services to which they are entitled and any additional services they need at the earliest opportunity.
The CAF is...
… for anyone who works with children, young people and families, whether as employees or volunteers, working in the public, private or voluntary sectors. It is for staff working in health; education; early years and childcare; social care; youth offending; police; Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS); and leisure. It is also for those who work in services for adults, as many of the adults accessing those services are also parents or carers. Parents/carers and young people are also able to complete Common Assessments, and can be Lead Practitioners (with support).
… a shared assessment tool used across agencies in England, assisting practitioners to develop a shared understanding of a child's needs so that they can be met more effectively.
…an important tool for earlier intervention – practitioners assess needs at an earlier stage and work with families alongside other practitioners and agencies to meet them.
The CAF is a tool to identify unmet needs, aiming to improve outcomes for all children and young people so that they can achieve the five Every Child Matters outcome areas:
• Being healthy
• Staying safe
• Enjoying and achieving
• Making a positive contribution
• Achieving economic well-being
The CAF is intended to provide a simple process for a holistic assessment of a child's needs and strengths, taking into account the role of parents, carers and environmental factors on their development.
Practitioners work in partnership with the child, parents, carers and other agencies to agree on the appropriate support.
Information-sharing between those involved means families are less likely to have to repeat stories time and time again.
If you are worried that a child may have been harmed or may be at risk of harm, you should follow established MSCB procedures without delay. You should not stop to do a Common Assessment. If you are unsure what to do, contact your local safeguarding or child-protection team.
Who will benefit from the CAF?
All children require access to high quality universal services. Some children have additional needs, requiring targeted support from education, health, social services or other services.
Examples of additional needs could include:
• Special educational needs
• Disabilities
• Poor nutrition
• Poor school attendance or exclusion
• Ill-health
• Anti-social or disruptive behaviour
• Lack of parental support/boundaries
• Experiencing bullying
• Housing issues
• Pregnancy/parenthood
The CAF is...
… for anyone who works with children, young people and families, whether as employees or volunteers, working in the public, private or voluntary sectors. It is for staff working in health; education; early years and childcare; social care; youth offending; police; Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS); and leisure. It is also for those who work in services for adults, as many of the adults accessing those services are also parents or carers. Parents/carers and young people are also able to complete Common Assessments, and can be Lead Practitioners (with support).
… a shared assessment tool used across agencies in England, assisting practitioners to develop a shared understanding of a child's needs so that they can be met more effectively.
…an important tool for earlier intervention – practitioners assess needs at an earlier stage and work with families alongside other practitioners and agencies to meet them.
The CAF is a tool to identify unmet needs, aiming to improve outcomes for all children and young people so that they can achieve the five Every Child Matters outcome areas:
• Being healthy
• Staying safe
• Enjoying and achieving
• Making a positive contribution
• Achieving economic well-being
The CAF is intended to provide a simple process for a holistic assessment of a child's needs and strengths, taking into account the role of parents, carers and environmental factors on their development.
Practitioners work in partnership with the child, parents, carers and other agencies to agree on the appropriate support.
Information-sharing between those involved means families are less likely to have to repeat stories time and time again.
If you are worried that a child may have been harmed or may be at risk of harm, you should follow established MSCB procedures without delay. You should not stop to do a Common Assessment. If you are unsure what to do, contact your local safeguarding or child-protection team.
Who will benefit from the CAF?
All children require access to high quality universal services. Some children have additional needs, requiring targeted support from education, health, social services or other services.
Examples of additional needs could include:
• Special educational needs
• Disabilities
• Poor nutrition
• Poor school attendance or exclusion
• Ill-health
• Anti-social or disruptive behaviour
• Lack of parental support/boundaries
• Experiencing bullying
• Housing issues
• Pregnancy/parenthood