If you are a Parent...

The government wants to make sure that all services that support children and families work in a co-ordinated way so that they understand and respond to children's needs. They now expect all services working with children to think of their needs in 5 areas:

Being healthy
Staying safe
Enjoying and achieving
Making a positive contribution
Achieving economic wellbeing

To help this, the government have introduced The Common Assessment Framework, which all services will use. A teacher, a health worker, or anyone else who offers you support can use it. It is important for you to know that the CAF does NOT mean workers have concerns about you as a parent, or about your child. This is a way of understanding and meeting your children's needs.

The CAF is a voluntary process so you will be asked if you agree to go ahead with the Common Assessment Framework. If your child is aged 13 or over, in most circumstances, they will also be asked if they agree to the CAF as well.

The CAF can be used if you or someone who works with your child would like your child to receive extra support. It will help to identify your child's additional needs, and other workers required to support your family.

Once you have agreed that you would like a CAF, someone who knows and works with your family will talk you through a simple form which will assess where support is needed. You and your child will be part of the discussion so that you can say what your child and your families needs are.

Based on the information you and your child provide, all those who can help your child will work together to provide the support your child needs. Only workers who need to know about your child will share your child's information. A meeting will then be arranged to consider your needs and the best way to offer support. You (and your child if appropriate) will be invited to attend this meeting (Team Around the Child Meeting). If you are not able to attend, there are other ways you can make sure that people know your views and what you would like to happen. You could also bring someone along to support you.

At the meeting, one person (the Lead Professional) will make sure your support needs are co-ordinated. They will also make sure you feel supported and are kept informed. This person is called a lead professional and you and your child must be involved in deciding who they are. Your support plan will be looked at from time to time to see if it needs to be changed. You will be invited to take part in this.

Benefits of the CAF for you as a parent/carer:

You are present and help make decisions about the type of support that is needed
You only have to tell your story once
At one meeting you will be able to meet all the workers who are offering support
You take a copy of the Delivery Plan away to remind you who is doing what
You know there is one person you can contact who will listen to your views and support you. That same person will be co-ordinating the support for you

Leaflet for parents

Last Modified: 10/08/2010 14:27:58
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