Frequently Asked Questions

You can download a word version of these FAQ's here

Q1. I am unclear if we get a CAF do we then do an Initial Assessment or use the CAF – i.e. does it replace the Initial Assessment?
A1. The CAF cannot currently replace an initial assessment. However if a CAF has already been completed it can used to inform the initial assessment. It is intended that the CAF will replace a number of existing assessments, this is being nationally negotiated.

Q2. Is there a central database or team that will store the completed CAFs?
A2. The CAF should be held by the agency who completed it. The agency may send a copy of the CAF with consent to other involved agencies as required, who may work with the family to update the CAF. The CAF currently will not be stored on SafetyNET however with the family’s consent you can notify SafetyNET that a CAF exists. This notification will be visible on the child’s record on SafetyNET. If you cannot use SafetyNET you can telephone the CAF facilitator who will log the CAF on SafetyNET for you. Individual agencies will have to consider how they log and record completed CAF’s as we will be asked to report on how many CAF’s are being completed within the city.

Q3. What happens if the child is not on SafetyNET e.g. unborn child…
A3. If a child is not born yet or only weeks old they will not be on SafetyNET currently the process will therefore require professionals to telephone the CAF facilitator who will keep a log of these unborn children. Once they are born they will be transferred onto SafetyNET, if the correct consent has been ascertained. If a child is not on SafetyNET and is over a month old you must inform SafetyNET that they are not on the system.

Q4. What happens if consent is withdrawn after it has been given?
e.g. (Not a child protection case or other exemption)
9am Mum gives consent for a CAF, health visitor processes and sends of to agreed agencies
6pm Dad comes home Mum informs him of events and he wants consent withdrawn
9am next morning Mum reports that consent is not given by both parents request to withdraw CAF from files etc
A4. In these circumstances you would need to speak to the professionals involved and notify them that consent has been withdrawn. This would need to be recorded clearly on each agencies file record. You would need to notify the CAF facilitator who can withdraw the notification from SafetyNET.

Q5. How do we manage the processes, administration etc for CAFs within agencies?
A5. Each agency is expected to develop its own processes in relation to the CAF. If you have concerns or questions about your agencies processes you should speak to your manager or the CAF lead manager.

Q5. Who gets a copy of the form?
A5. The young person and parents/carers should get a copy of the form unless doing so would put the young person at risk. Other agencies may get copies of the form if the family/young person has agreed this.

Q6. How are we professionals to manage the risk around when consent is refused especially when there are not established child protection relationships?
Q6. If you are concerned about a child’s welfare you must follow your agencies child protection processes, this is the process to manage risk. The Department for Education and Skills is clear that the CAF should be a consensual process. Where there are not significant child welfare issues all that may be possible is to get agreement with the family to some or part of the process and this may be all that can be achieved at this stage. When the family gain confidence in the process there may be opportunities to develop the work.

Q7. What do I do if English isn’t the family’s first language?
A7. Translators should be used when completing a CAF with a family. If a parent or young person has literacy difficulties you must also ensure they are able to understand the information being recorded.
The forms are being made available in a number of languages and are available on the CAF website – www.sheffieldsafetynet.gov.uk/caf . If you have additional language requirements please email: commonassessment@sheffield.gov.uk
It is planned that pictorially versions/tools for use with the CAF will be developed over the coming years.

Q8. How long will a CAF take to complete?
A8. This will depend on how much you already know about the family and how complex the young person’s needs are. The CAF form may only take a short while to compete but the CAF process may involve a multi agency meeting and review of the plan, which may lead to you having a longer relationship with the family. Where you have a line manager you should ensure they are aware if the CAF process is unmanageable.

Q9. As a professional who has completed a CAF and identified required support from another agency – how do I know that a child / family is progressing?
A9. You should maintain contact with the family to establish how they feel they are progressing. In most cases it would be of benefit for you to be in contact with the other agency and part of the review of services. The CAF is a process and not a straight referral form therefore you should maintain some involvement with the family. Where this is not possible with the family’s permission you should ask the other agency to inform you of their progress or when they have closed their work with the family.

Q10. Is there anywhere on the form to identify how long the professional has known the child / family?
A10. No – we are working with Dfes on the final form design, as this will be a national form – to aid working across boundaries. You could include this in the section about why you are undertaking the assessment. Please contact us with your experiences of using the form and any other gaps.

Q11. Is the CAF another way of recording your concerns/intervention?
A11. Yes, but it also allows you as a professional to broach questions with a family in a non threatening format – a CAF is a joint exercise between family and professional – it is not to them but with them for mutual benefit. It is a way of recording the strengths and needs of a child as well as developing a plan to meet those needs.

Q12. Will teachers/schools be accessing the training?
A12. Yes indeed many educationalists (from early years, primary and secondary were represented at the first training day) all schools and care settings will be engaged in the training. However schools may decided only certain staff will be trained in using the CAF and these staff will complete the CAF on any children needing one within the school.

Q13. What happens to join up sibling information?
A13. The CAF can only be competed on one child although general information may be recorded on each sibling alongside the identification of their own needs. Where different agencies are completing CAF’s on different children within the same family a multi agency meeting should be held to share information and ensure a smooth package of support is provided.

Q14. City wide services – will they use CAF citywide or in the roll out areas only?
A14. Yes you can use the CAF citywide but you may need to talk to other professionals about the CAF and explain the process. But all agencies have been asked to inform their staff about the CAF.

Q15. If practitioners have to wait to see if an assessment has already been completed this will lead to a delay?
A15. You should be asking the family or young person if an assessment has been undertaken. If they were not sure it would be helpful to start the process with them, as the information will help your own thinking and may help them remember if they have done one previously. You should contact the CAF facilitator or check on SafetyNET who may be able to inform you if a CAF exists.

Q16. What happens if the practitioner does not want the parent to sign?
A16. If it is a child protection case you are not required to ascertain consent although in most cases it would be good practice to inform the parent of your actions unless this would put the child at risk. If you do not have parental consent you must record why in the additional information box in the consent section of the form.

Q17. Who ensures CAF is shared between agencies?
A17. The CAF is a process not just a form. Therefore with the young person or parents/carers consent you may already have spoken to other agencies to complete the CAF. Practitioners are expected to establish with the young person or parent/carer who needs to be involved to meet the additional needs. It may be appropriate and useful to share the CAF form with these agencies.

Q18. What support is there for practitioners?
A18. There is training available, information on the Internet (www.sheffieldsafetynet.gov.uk/caf) and support available from lead managers. The CAF Facilitator may also be able to help. We would encourage agencies or areas to think about establishing a CAF group to support workers using the CAF. It will take time for all those involved with children and young people to adopt and feel comfortable with the CAF process.

Q19. Will the forms be available online?
A19. Yes the forms and guidance are available on the CAF website. You can download the form here

Q20. Will the form be attached to CSS in Education?
A20. This work is underway and EMS will also log that a CAF has been completed. Work is also underway to attach the form to Carefirst in Social Services.

Q21. How does a CAF get up dated if more than one agency is involved?
A21. When a CAF is completed a review date should be set. If other agencies have become involved a multi agency review with the young person should be held and the information from this meeting or telephone conversations should be used to create a new version of CAF which can then be shared with permission across agencies. It is hoped in time that the CAF will be an electronic document in all agencies which would enable a more dynamic updating process.