Children and the Common Assessment Framework.

'engaging children, young people and families as equal partners in the process

ensuring consistency of the lead professional support, which helps families and

professionals work together better integrating all of the elements of the CAF process

ensuring multi-agency working and information sharing, which improves

understanding of need and service provision developing a better understanding of

children and young people’s needs at the earliest possible stage.'

One parent said 'I was glad that if there was a problem that I could go to her... she’s

just so easy and she’s willing to give you all the information and help that you need...

it just makes it so much easier when you're talking to someone and they’re not

looking down at you or judging you.’

Authorities talked about and reported the importance of engaging the children, young

people and families fully in everything that is done. The benefits of this are that the

parents understand what their childs needs are, improved skills and parenting

techniques, improved relationships between families and professionals.

Although a lot that is said is good there are a number of challenges that they have

found, for example it is hard to engage everyone in the process if they are reluctant to

talk to the children's services.

The governement wants to make sure that all services that support children and

families work together so that they understand and can respond to the childs needs.

They want to make sure that all services working with children are thinking of all of

their needs like:

Being healthy

Staying safe

Enjoying and achieveing

Making a positive contribution

Achieving economic wellbeing

In order to help with this the CAF was introduced with all services, parents felt that

they were told about this effectively and that it helped them a lot especially as it was

described well. They were told that everyone could use it and that it doesnt mean that

workers have concerns about them as a parent, its just a way of understanding their

childs needs. They were informed that the Common Assessment Framework is

voluntary so they do not have to participate at all if they dont want to. It helps their

child to receive extra support and can identify if they have any additional needs.

Benefits of the CAF for a parent/carer:

They are present and help make decisions about the type of support that is needed

They only have to tell their story once

At one meeting they will be able to meet all the workers who are offering support

They take a copy of the Delivery Plan away to remind them who is doing what

They know there is one person they can contact who will listen to their views and

support them. That same person will be co-ordinating the support for them also.