Lead professionals
When a child or young person has a number of additional needs, requiring the involvement of several different practitioners, a lead professional will be appointed in order to co-ordinate the range of support provided to a child for a time limited period.
The term 'lead professional' is used in relation to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), but this and the term ‘key worker’ is also used for a practitioner carrying out the co-ordinating role in relation to ‘specialist statutory assessments’.
These assessments are for children with more complex needs (for example children with complex disabilities and health needs, special educational needs, looked after children, young offenders).
When a lead professional is appointed during the CAF process there will be some flexibility in who is appointed to carry out the role, but some factors which may be considered are:
- The wishes of the child, young person and the family
- Selecting the person whose agency is likely to be the most involved in meeting the needs of the child or young person
- Selecting the person who has an existing trusting relationship with the child, young person and the family
- Selecting a person who has the skills, ability and capacity to carry out the role.
The role of the lead professional is to:
- Act as a single point of contact for the child, young person, parent/carer so the child and family are kept well informed and can discuss their progress and any concerns with one person that they can trust
- Act as a single point of contact for other practitioners to report back to
- Co-ordinate the delivery of actions agreed in the CAF, and ensure that the package of support is regularly reviewed and monitored
- Reduce any overlap and inconsistency in the services received
- Support the child and family to ensure that a careful ‘handover;’ takes place if it becomes more appropriate for someone else to be the lead professional.
Lots of different practitioners within the children’s workforce may act as lead professionals at certain times with children and families they are working with.
For example, health visitors, midwives, youth workers, education welfare officers, school support staff, children centre workers among others may take on this role after taking account of the factors described above.
