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Common Assessment Framework (CAF or Early Help)

Overview

Upon successful completion of this training course, you will understand how the Common Assessment Framework (CAF - or Early Help) applies to your work.

Audience

This course is intended for all children’s workforce practitioners, i.e. all staff who work with children, young people and their families.  Although this course forms part of an induction programme for new starters, it is also intended for all practitioners who want to improve their knowledge and continue their professional development.

About this course

The course contains additional resource materials, useful links and a refresher guide.

Objectives

This course will enable you to understand:

  • What a CAF Pre-Assessment checklist is and when to use it
  • The key principles of and background to the CAF
  • When and when not to undertake the CAF
  • The four main stages in completing a CAF
  • How the CAF interfaces with other assessments
  • How to use a CAF to inform a specialist assessment

    Content

    Here are a few of the topics covered in this course:

    What is a CAF? | Why we need the CAF | What are the aims of a CAF | What does the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) include? | The CAF Principles | Key principles of a quality assessment | When to undertake a CAF assessment | Consent | When not to do a CAF assessment | Who can initiate a CAF? | Coordinating the CAF | Four steps | Assessment as part of a cycle | How to undertake an assessment | Strengths vs. Weaknesses | Effective assessment | Key principles | Child Protection | Step 1: Identify needs early | Step 2: Assess Needs | Agree next steps | Check your understanding | Step 3: Deliver integrated services and support | Agree an action plan | Agree review arrangements and deliver the action plan | Step 4: Review progress | Review progress and circumstances | Review outcomes | Continuum of Need | CAF Interface with Specialist Services