The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key part of
delivering frontline services that are integrated, and are focused
around the needs of children and young people. The CAF is a
standardised approach to conducting assessments of children's
additional needs and deciding how these should be met. It can be
used by practitioners across children's services in England.
The CAF promotes more effective, earlier identification of
additional needs, particularly in universal services. It aims to
provide a simple process for a holistic assessment of children's
needs and strengths; taking account of the roles of parents, carers
and environmental factors on their development. Practitioners are
then better placed to agree with children and families about
appropriate modes of support. The CAF also aims to improve
integrated working by promoting coordinated service
provisions.
Suffolk Children's Trust Partnership Board has endorsed the use
of CAF as the baseline assessment framework to be used by all
children and young people's service providers.
Further details
National Guidance
Department for Education website
Children's
Workforce Development Council (CWDC) website
Suffolk County Council website
Information for
families
Information for
professionals
CAF forms and
paperwork
National eCAF
CAF training
Page owner: Darryl
Freeman Last updated: September 27
2011