Common Assessment Framework
The CAF will enable any practitioner working with a child or young person, to conduct an initial assessment of unmet needs and where appropriate, share it with other agencies.
The CAF assessment will be used by the children's workforce for any child in need of support, and will involve the child and their family in the process.
Where more than one agency is involved, a Lead Professional will be identified to act as a single point of contact, to support children, young people and their families in making choices and navigating their way through systems and who can ensure appropriate, effective and timely interventions.
The CAF process has been piloted in three areas of the district and in three contexts:
- A geographical area, Shipley Windhill
- A high focus area of work, substance misuse to be piloted in Keighley
- A multi agency group - Children's Support Panel working in a Behaviour Improvement Programme school cluster in Buttershaw.
Evaluation of the pilots has informed development of the CAF materials for Bradford and is informing the rollout of the CAF process and Lead Professional Role across the district. This has included a programme of training for 1000 managers and 4,500 practitioners and awareness raising training for all staff in children's services.
The Bradford CAF Project has identified a CAF Champion for each agency, to drive forward implementation in their agency.
