CAF ???

Common assessment framework.

not an adoption thing but a multiagency assessment that's meant to bring all professionals to the same place. Team around the child and all needs / support organized by joined up working and thinking.

that's the theory but I don't know whether in practice it would help in our situation. 2 kids, different needs.


scared to ask for postadoption assessment of need. One is adopted, one isn't.

feel we fall in the cracks. Feels there isn't a clear place to go for co-ordinated support, that we need.

Ps we don't have issues with dd at home though, that we need support with.

The idea around the CAF is brilliant in theory.

All people involved in child/young person sit around table that includes parent(s) and highlight areas of concern and formulate a plan.
One of the people (not the parent) is responsible for co-ordinating information, plans and outcomes.
If an on board bunch of profs and overlapping then there is no reason why same team couldn't do both children one after other and then key person co ordinate it all.

I have planning meetings for my eldest son which includes SW, OT, respite and school.
They were held 6 weekly when none of them we're managing him.
Now down to termly.

I was instrumental in pushing for them to happen as I felt they were failing in their duty of care for him.
All so much better now and profs really valuing the coordinating of work and information.

Please pm if you want any more info.

:)I know about them...ask away!

In theory, I think you could get one TAF that covered both your children, but I agree, mostly what is happening is CAFs, and mostly they are school based for children of 9 and 13. (You can get CAFs run by other professionals, but very often it is schools.)

You are likely to get a CAF for each of your girls, because the school is likely to be the lead in each one.

Now, whether they are productive...
That is largely a function of who meets, how often the actually meet (as opposed to when they are supposed to meet) and whether the lead professional chases up actions in between times.
In theory, it should be a gateway to services, but they are usually the sort that deals with struggling families, either dysfunctional parents or children with special needs, or a and b.
I don't think they are likely to produce things focussed on the needs of adoptive children or children in care.

A CAF is the level below social services referral/ assessment. If a social worker is involved, they are not the lead professional.

So... where does this leave you? Hmm. It all depends who comes to the first meeting, and what things they can do to help. As time goes by, the size of the meeting may well shrink as agencies slither away, saying that they have done their bit.

My guess is that you have to accept, or you are not showing willing. The CAFs may produce genuinely helpful things within school. And just maybe, someone who could take your girls out and about, one at a time, so you can have a breather. Worth a try

Just keep a sharp eye on what concrete things are offered, and make sure you take notes.