Common Assessment Framework and Early Intervention
The Local Authority and partners are committed to supporting the delivery of a comprehensive range of early intervention services to improve the life chances and outcomes for all families in North East Lincolnshire.
The Children’s Trust and Local Strategic Partnership have supported the development of a Think Family plan which set out principles and priorities for early intervention. The plan identifies a holistic, early intervention approach to enhance outcomes for families and to reduce the need for costly, specialist services. The plan focuses on developing an integrated workforce that will support families in their local communities.
Early intervention is a core cross-cutting theme within the work of the Partnership and links directly to other over-arching strategies and plans to ensure a cohesive approach.
All local authorities in England are receiving an Early Intervention Grant from the Government for 2011-14 and this funding is being used to support the plan. We want our early intervention to be provided at the right time and in the right way for those who need it most.
This help may be offered to:
- Provide additional support when problems and issues are identified, tackling them early
- Intervene assertively when families are in crisis, to prevent family breakdown or serious harm to family members of others.
There are a range of services available to support children, young people and families at different levels of need, but when a multi agency response is required the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a key tool.
The CAF is a standardised approach to conducting a holistic assessment of a family’s needs and developing a team around the family (TAF) to co-ordinate an action plan. Families must consent to a CAF referral being made but once this has been done agencies involved can share information to improve integrated working thus making life easier for families. A Lead Professional is appointed to take responsibility for co-ordinating the TAF and reviewing progress.
The Think Family plan sets out how we aim to support families at all levels of need and incorporates North East Lincolnshire’s response to the Government’s Troubled Families Programme. At all levels of need families will be asked to sign up to the CAF process to enable integrated support but if they do not consent we will use formal contracts and parenting orders to ensure engagement. The additional funding attached to the Troubled Families programme will be used locally by partners to enhance and accelerate progress of the Think Family plan.
Listed on this page are the current CAF referral documents and toolkit for practitioners. Downloads for these are attached.
- A pre-assessment checklist in order to determine if a CAF assessment would be helpful
- Useful guide to completion of the CAF form
- CAF referral Form 1
- Fraser Competency Checklist to evidence that young people (13+) can make their own decision regarding the CAF process (this form is for your own records).
- CAF Team around the Family Meeting Plan.
- CAF Team around the Family Agenda.
- CAF Evaluation and Closure Form.
All completed forms need to be copied to the CAF team in order for monitoring purposes.
If you require any further information please contact the CAF team using the contact details provided.