Common Assessment Framework

What is the Common Assessment Framework (CAF)? 

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key element of Every Child Matters providing a common method of assessment across all children's services and will:

• help in the early identification of needs;
• lead to co-ordinated provision of services;
• promote information sharing to avoid the duplication of assessments;
• reduce the need for children and their families to re-tell their story to different practitioners.

The five outcomes of Every Child Matters gives all agencies a simple and coherent view of what it is they are doing and gives responsibility to everyone for children's well being.

The outcomes we want to achieve for all children and young people in Kirklees are:

• Be healthy - enjoying good physical health and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle
• Stay safe - being protected from harm and neglect and growing up able to look after themselves
• Enjoy and achieve  - getting the most out of life and developing broad skills for adulthood
• Make a positive contribution - to the community, society and not engaging in anti social or offending behaviour
• Economic wellbeing - overcoming social-economic disadvantages, to achieve their full potential in life.

All practitioners involved with children and their families have a duty to act in the best interest of the child.  It is the worker's responsibility to identify and respond to concerns about a child's welfare and to know how to effectively challenge decisions which in their professional opinion do not promote positive outcomes for children.

Support from CAF Co-ordinators and Helpdesk 

Kirklees CAF Co-ordinators are available to support practitioners in undertaking the role of CAF author and lead professional.  Advice and support on all aspects of the CAF process is available through the CAF Helpdesk.  Click here for further information.  

CAF Handbook and CAF Training

Click here to access the Integrated Working and Comon Assessment Framework Handbook, and details of training for practitioners and managers.

Safeguarding/Common Assessment Framework Interface - Practice guidance

Practice guidance has been developed to explain the relationship between the common assessment, initial assessment and core assessment.  The guidance contains processes for the escalation and de-escalation of cases.  Click on this link for the CAF interface practice guidance.

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