Common Assessment Framework (CAF) practitioner information
This page provides practitioners with all of the materials and information they need when using the CAF process. If you have any questions about the documents described below, please contact the CAF Duty Desk using the details opposite.
CAF forms
The standardised CAF form 
(Word document: 322KB) is a key part of the CAF process. If required, Part 1 of the CAF form (Word document: 233KB) can also be downloaded where there is more than one child to be assessed. In order to review the CAF you should also complete the CAF review form(Word document: 324KB).
The CAF form is used to gather information about who else is involved in a child's life and to assess the child's needs and strengths. It also contains a built in action plan and review process. An optional CAF pre-assessment checklist (word document on an external site: 87KB) can also be used by practitioners to help them consider whether a CAF should be undertaken. These forms are for use by practitioners across the children’s workforce throughout England.
Practitioners can use the CAF pre-assessment checklist alongside Barnet's Children's Service CAF and CAF and Social Care thresholds document
(PDF: 4.8MB) as both of these documents will assist a practitioner to be clear about when to begin a CAF.
Before starting a CAF, a practitioner should first check with the Multi Agency Support Team (MAST) to find out whether a CAF already exists, or whether a CAF is not required because the child is already receiving a more specialist assessment and support from a social worker. See contact details on the left.
Once the CAF form has been signed and agreed by the child/family and shared with the other practitioners as agreed by the family, a copy should be sent to us by secure means using the email address shown on the left.
Practice guidance
The CAF practice guidance (PDF: 892KB) guides practitioners through the entire CAF process.
The document sets out details about:
- the benefits of CAF and when it should be undertaken
- how the CAF relates to other assessment processes and how it supports referrals to other agencies
- how to complete a CAF and store CAF records
- the lead professional role
- multi-agency planning meetings
- review and closure
- locally available support.
In addition to Barnet's CAF practice guidance, national guidance around the CAF and Lead Practitioner role is available to practitioners and managers on the Department for Education website (external site).
Assessment tools
Barnet Council and it’s partners have developed a number of screening and assessment tools to assist practitioners undertaking a CAF involving particular specialist areas. Tools are available for:
- domestic violence (PDF: 147KB)
- substance misuse (PDF: 70KB)
- working with young people with a high risk of offending. (PDF: 78KB)
In addition, the Pan London CAF Protocol referred to above, contains a section called London Continuum Descriptors (PDF: 886KB) which sets out information on assessing teenage parents, those affected by substance misuse and those involved in youth offending. The section also sets out risk and protective factors as well as suggested interventions for these particular groups of vulnerable children and young people and are designed to be used with the CAF.
Further information can also be found on Barnet Online about domestic violence, drugs and alcohol abuse along with information about the Youth Offending Service.
MAGs (Multi-Agency Groups)
If there are difficulties locating appropriate services for a family, appointing a Lead Professional or around effective multi-agency working, you can request that your case is brought to a MAG meeting. These Groups are chaired by senior managers from Children’s Services, with representation from all key agencies and seek to ensure that CAF action plans are on track and are working well.
For further information see the MAGs page.
Frequently asked questions
The frequently asked questions (PDF: 104KB) document contains answers to questions which have been raised by practitioners working within Barnet about the CAF process.
CAF practitioners group
The CAF Practitioners group aims to offer practitioners the opportunity to share best practice, raise any issues and gain cross-sector peer supporting relation to the CAF. More information about the group is contained in the terms of reference document (PDF: 34KB) which also contains future meeting dates.
Training
If you are interested in attending any of our couses or workshops please complete the booking form (PDF: 76KB) and return to the MAST Team (details on the left).
All practitioners working with children need to have completed Barnet Council’s one day multi-agency CAF training before initiating a CAF or acting as a Lead Professional. The current CAF training flyer (PDF: 35KB) contains further information about the training syllabus along with upcoming dates.
There is also now a half day CAF refresher training (PDF: 33KB) course for practitioners who have completed their CAF training some time ago.
In addition to the above, details about the further training, along with future dates, are shown in the course flyers below:
Lead Professional training
The Lead Professional awareness training course a is aimed at practitioners who have undertaken the CAF training and who are likely to take on the Lead Professional role.
- Awareness training for practitioners (PDF: 36KB)
CAF and social care thresholds workshop
The CAF and Social Care thresholds workshop (PDF: 32KB) introduces Barnet’s CAF and Social Care thresholds document and explores how to apply these thresholds so that practitioners are clear when to undertake a CAF and when to refer to Children’s Social Care.
Leaflets
A two part information leaflet (PDF: 674KB) about CAF is available which is aimed at parents, carers, children and young people. Please note that this leaflet is shown online for sample purposes only.
If you would like to request a number of printed leaflets, please contact the Multi Agency Support Manager.
In addition to the local materials on this page, practitioners can also access all of the national CAF guidance, frequently asked questions, supporting tools document and brief fact sheets from the Department for Education (external site).
Email this pageLast modified by: Lauren Burbidge on 09/01/2012