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 Coordinator, Micheala Carlowe, by calling 07932 076081 or using the details opposite.
CAF Forms
The standardised CAF Form 
(Word 273KB) is used as part of the CAF assessment. An optional CAF pre-assessment checklist (Word 90KB) 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.
The CAF review form 
(PDF 40KB) is a locally devised form to help practitioners review the progress of the CAF action plan. A version of this form is available in Word format and can be requested from the CAF Coordinator, whose contact details are shown above. Once completed the form should be returned to us using the email address shown on the left.
Practice Guidance
The CAF Practice Guidance (PDF 571KB) 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.
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) and working with young people with a high risk of offending. (PDF 78KB)
Further information can also be found on Barnet Online about domestic violence , drugs and alcohol abuse along with information about the Youth Offending Service.
Frequently asked questions
The frequently asked questions (PDF 74KB) 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 72KB) which also contains future meeting dates.
Training
All practitioners working with children need to have completed Barnet Council’s one day multi-agency CAF training before initiating a CAFor acting as a Lead Professional. The current CAF training flyer(PDF 86KB) contains further information about the training syllabus along with upcoming dates.
In addition to the above, details about the further training, along with future dates, are shown in the course flyers below:
Lead Professional Training
Two Lead Professional Awareness Training courses are available. One course is aimed at managers and the other is aimed at practitioners who have undertaken the CAF training and who are likely to take on the Lead Professional role.
- Awareness training for managers(PDF 81KB)
- Awareness training for practitioners (PDF 81KB)'
Integrated working with children and families awareness workshop
This course is aimed at practitioners who require an overview of the children's agenda including the CAF so they can signpost appropriately, but do not require in-depth training.
- Integrated working with families- school support staff (PDF 87KB)
- Integrated working with families- practitioner general overview(PDF 87KB)'
Leaflets
A two part information leaflet about CAF (PDF 674KB) is available which is aimed at both parents and carers and 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 CAF Coordinator.
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 government’s Every Child Matters website. See ‘useful links’ on the left hand side of this page.
Email this pageLast modified by: Steve Lawlor on 09/01/2009