CAF - information for children and young people

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) involves listening to you to find out what help you need, and what is working well in your life.

An action plan is then put together with you to make sure you get the right sort of help.

The CAF is there to help you but, if you don’t want to take part in the CAF you don’t have to – it really is up to you.

How will the CAF help me?

The CAF will help to work out what support you might need. This could be a learning mentor for help with school-work, or drugs worker for help with a drugs problem. If your mum, dad or carer needs help to look after you, the CAF can also support them.

The CAF means talking to people who know you, like nurses and teachers. If they can all talk together, they can find the best support for you early on, before any problems become bigger.

As the CAF is shared by your workers you will only have to tell your story once, rather than lots of times to different people!

How does it work?

If you agree, someone who knows you will arrange a time to talk to you and listen to what you think would be helpful. For example, this person could be a school nurse or Connexions personal adviser. They will write down what is talked about on a form and give you a copy of the form. Then, if you agree, all the people who can help you will work together to give you the support you need.

How will I know who is doing what and when?

If there are lots of people helping you, one of these people may be your ‘lead professional’.

This person will tell you what is happening, listen to any worries and support you. This person will also support the people who are helping you.

You can have a say in who should be your lead professional.

Who will have information about me?

As a rule the information on your CAF will not be shared with anyone else unless you agree. But there may be times when the people working with you need to do so.

For example:

• when they need to find out urgently if you or someone else is at risk of harm;
• to help you or someone else who is at risk of harm;
• to help stop a crime.

All the information she has about you is confidential so she doesn't talk to anybody about you unless you want her to. Not unless you are in danger or putting other people's life at risk. She won't judge you but she will listen to anything you want to say.

Contact

For more information please contact the SPA

Phone: 020 8891 7969
Email: spa@richmond.gov.uk