Identifying and meeting needs at the earliest opportunity

CAF is a key part of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme.

· The CAF process can help identify, at the earliest opportunity, if a child or young person needs some extra help.

· A CAF form is a simple, standardised assessment form.

· A CAF can be undertaken by anyone who works with the child or young person.

· It can only be completed if a child, young person and/or their parents/carers gives consent.

· A CAF form is filled in after a discussion with the child or young person and their parents or carers as appropriate and identifies their strengths and needs.

· A completed form can be used to share information with other people who might be able to offer some help (but only if consent is given).

· If multi-agency support is required everyone who might be able to help can be invited to a CAF Team Around the Child multi-agency meeting – one person is chosen as a Lead Professional to co-ordinate the actions that are agreed at the meeting.

 Medway CAF Process Flow

Training

Multi-agency training is available to anyone working (paid or voluntary) with children and young people in Medway:

· CAF Awareness (sessions for individual teams at your own venue can be arranged by contacting Lisanne Tullett, Children's Workforce Training on 01634 337218)

· CAF Training for practitioners - the process from the start to the finish (To attend the CAF Training you will be required to have an awareness of CAF, you will be sent some pre reading material with the joining instructions)

· Managers Training

· Lead Professional (CAF Process)Training (only available for participants who attended the one day CAF Assessor training from January 2010)

· Distance travelled scoring guidance - drop in sessions

 At the bottom of the page you will find a list of the training dates available.  Places for each session must be booked with the CAF Team on an application form (also found at the bottom of this page) - you are welcome to ring 01634 334325 / 334324 or 337218 and reserve a place which will be confirmed when your form is received.

 CAF Champions

CAF Champions are practitioners in Medway who have experience of completing CAF forms or have in-depth knowledge of the CAF process.  You can contact them for advice about the CAF process.  Below is a list of Champions that are more than happy to be contacted as and when you need support.