The CAF is a key part of delivering frontline services that are integrated and focused around the needs of children and young people. The CAF is a key component in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme. 

The aim of the programme 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 a standardised approach to conducting an assessment, and identifying needs.

The CAF will promote more effective, earlier identification of additional needs, particularly in universal services. It is intended to provide a simple process for a holistic assessment of a child’s needs and strengths, taking account of the role of parents, carers and environmental factors. Practitioners will be then better placed to agree, with the child and family, about what support is appropriate. The CAF will also help integrate working by promoting co-ordinated service provision.

What is the CAF?

• A simple pre-assessment checklist to help practitioners identify children who would benefit from a common assessment.
• A process for undertaking a common assessment, to help practitioners gather and understand information about the needs and strengths of the child, based on discussions with the child, their family and other practitioners as appropriate.
• A standard form to help practitioners record, and, where appropriate, share with others, the findings from the assessment in terms that are helpful in working with the family to find a response to unmet needs.

All Local Authority areas are expected to implement the CAF between April 2006 and the end of 2008.

For more information contact:

Dave Hills
CAF/LP Project Manager
Tel. 0191 553 1404
Email: Dave.Hills@sunderland.gov.uk

Leaflet for children and young people ( 388kb)

Leaflet for parents and carers ( 84kb)

Information Sharing and Assessment Programme update 30/01/07 ( 22kb)

The documents above are in PDF () format, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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