-
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
What is the Common Assessment Framework (CAF)?
The Common Assessment Framework is a new way of working with children and young people. An assessment is a simple way of gathering information and recording it in an organised way. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs and what is working well in your child’s life. Actions will be agreed with you and your child to make sure your child gets the right sort of help.
The Common Assessment Framework is voluntary – you and your child can choose to be involved.
How will the Common Assessment Framework help my family?
- The CAF exists to help you to support your child. It can lead to a quick solution to help to identify additional support if needed.
- The CAF will ensure that everyone involved with your child, such as teachers and health visitors, work together to support your child
- The CAF will help your child receive the right support at an early stage before their needs increase. As the CAF is a shared assessment, you and your child will not have to repeat the same story to different workers.
When is the Common Assessment Framework used?
The Common Assessment Framework 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.
Who is a Lead Professional (LP)?
If a number of people are providing support to your child, and a plan has been agreed as part of a Support Meeting, one of these people will be appointed as a ‘lead professional’.
This person will keep you informed, listen to your views and support you. The ‘lead professional’ will also help to co-ordinate all services supporting your child.
You and your child will have a say in who should be the lead professional.
Confidentiality
As a rule the information which you and your child provide will only be shared with your family’s consent. However there may be certain times when the people working with you need to share information:
For example:
- When they need to find out urgently if a child is at risk of harm;
- To help a child who is at risk from harm;
- When an adult is at risk of harm;
- To help prevent or detect a serious crime.
A young person’s wishes to keep information confidential from parents may be respected by the worker, where this is in the young person’s best interest and welfare.
Contact us:
ASKK
Telephone: 020 8547 5888
Email: askk@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
CAF and Lead Professional Coordinator
Telephone: 020 8547 6232
Email: linda.jackson@rbk.kingston.gov.uk