a process for undertaking a common assessment, to help practitioners gather and understand information about the needs and strengths of the child, based on discussions with the child, their family and other practitioners as appropriate;
a standard form and action plan to help practitioners record and where appropriate, share with others, the findings from the assessment in terms that are helpful in working with the family to find a response to unmet needs.

The CAF provides an easy to use assessment that is common across agencies. It will help embed a shared language; support better understanding and communications amongst practitioners; facilitate early intervention; speed up service delivery and reduce the number and duration of different assessments that historically some children and young people have undergone.

There is now a choice of forms for you to use. The new ‘Request for Service e-form’ is a secure e-form only available through the Leicestershire County Council website. The form is delivered securely and directly to the CAF team, so avoids the need to post or fax completed forms. This form can be used by anyone to request a service for a child or whole family. It is designed to be quick and easy to use.

The full CAF is still available as a pdf for you to print and complete and post or fax back to us. This form enables practitioners to undertake a more detailed assessment of a child’s or families needs and includes useful prompt information to help you develop a holistic view of the child.

Once a CAF Assessment or ‘Request for Service e-form’ is completed, it is discussed, to decide whether a package of support or a Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting for complex cases.

Please note that children with a Statement of Special Educational Need and/or CAMHS involvement can be the subject of CAF. Please call the CAF team on 0116 3058727 if you wish to start a CAF on a young person.

The CAF team can find out who else is involved, review the case, source new services based on need, obtain referral forms or assessment information, support Lead Professional to progress action and ask for informal advice from specialists.

More information about CAF is available from the links below: