1. Welcome Information Sharing and the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) SEND Conference Workshop with Mandy Marriott Sims

2. Learning Outcomes Understand the underpinning elements of the CAF. Understand how to use the CAF to contribute to supporting the needs of children and Young people. Know where to access additional help.

4. Improved outcomes: Be healthy. Stay safe. Enjoy and achieve. Make a positive contribution. Achieve economic well-being. Integrated working processes and tools Tools and processes that support integrated working Lead Professional and Team Around the Child (TAC) CAF Information sharing Common core Multi-agency working

5. A continuum of needs and services

6. What is CAF? Using the CAF will help us develop a common understanding of strengths, as well as needs and how to work together to meet them. The CAF will help us assess children and young people’s additional needs for services, earlier and more effectively. The CAF is a shared assessment and planning framework to help us in our work with children, young people and families.

7. The CAF principles Holistic Child and young person centred Voluntary and only undertaken with consent Focused on strength as well as needs Coordinated (only one active CAF episode per individual/family) A standardised process supported by a form Able to improve links to specialist assessments Not something services can require before access to provision – but is able to inform better referrals

8. Who will use CAF and when? Do not use the CAF when: Progress is good. Needs are identified and already being met. Needs are clear and all can be met by one service. There is no consent. If, at any time, there are concerns that a child may be at risk of harm, then follow LSCB procedures without delay. Use the CAF when: There are concerns about progress or wellbeing. Needs are unclear and not being met. Needs are broader than your service can address. Any practitioner can use the CAF with an individual child or young person.

9. Initial Consent to gather Information Initial Assessment including Initial Action Plan and Consent to share Delivery Plan and Review What does the CAF consist of? Through the process standard information will be gathered and recorded:

10. STEP 1 Preparation With the child/parent, decide if a common assessment would be helpful (Use pre assessment checklist if this helps) Check that one doesn’t already exist If a common assessment would be helpful, seek the consent of the child/parent to proceed. What does the CAF consist of? The 4-step CAF process Close Involvement Complete distance travelled tool and feedback forms STEP 2 Discussion Gather information on strengths and needs, using the CAF form. Complete Feelings and Wishes sheet with every child. Complete Distance travelled tool STEP 3 Multi Agency Meeting Put a delivery plan in place to meet the identified needs. Appoint a Lead Professional. STEP 4 Delivery Deliver actions to meet identified needs. Lead Professional to provide ongoing support. Review delivery including completing distance travelled tool with the child/young person

11. Sharing information if concerned about significant or serious harm Always consider referring concerns to children’s social care or police, following LSCB procedures Seek advice if unsure what to do from Norfolk Local Safeguarding Children’s Board via 0344 8008014 Practitioners must: Issues to consider: Confidential information can be shared without consent if justified in the public interest Timely sharing is important in emergency situations Significant harm to children and young people or serious harm to adults can arise from a number of circumstances It is good practice to seek consent and/or discuss concerns, unless this would increase the risk of harm

12. The law regarding Information Sharing The common law duty of confidentiality Legislation containing express powers or which imply powers to share: The Children Act 1989 and 2004. Local Government Act 2000. Education Act 1996 and 2002. Learning and Skills Act 2000. Education (SEN) Regulations 2001. Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. Mental Capacity Act 2005. Protection of Children Act 1999. Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Crime and Disorder Act 1998. National Health Service Act 1977 and 2006. The Health and Social Care Act 2003. Criminal Justice Act 2003. Adoption and Children Act 2002. The Human Rights Act 1998 The Data Protection Act 1998

13. Consent is key to information sharing, it is good practice even where the law does not demand it. Consent: Must be informed. Should be explicit but can be implied in some circumstances. Is preferably written, but can be verbal. Must be willing and not inferred from a non response. Must be sought again if things change significantly. Can be withdrawn and have limits. Should be recorded and stored. When gaining consent: Explain it at the start, using suitable language. Explain the limits to confidentiality. Be aware of relevant legislation. Follow local policies and procedures. Do not seek consent where it would increase risk

14. Whose consent should be sought? Parental Responsibility Persons who have parental responsibility are those who are recognised in law as having responsibility and powers to make appropriate decisions in relation to a child, unless that child is Fraser Competent. (as per previous slide) Where parental consent is required, the consent of one such person is sufficient. In situations where family members are in conflict you will need to consider carefully whose consent should be sought. If the parents are separated, the consent would usually be sought from the parent with whom the child resides.

15. Whose consent should be sought? Fraser Guidelines People aged 16 and over – generally presumed to have the capacity to understand and may give (or refuse) consent. Children aged 12 or over – may generally be expected to have sufficient understanding to give (or refuse) consent. Younger children may also have sufficient understanding. Sufficient understanding is indicated if they can: Understand the question. Understanding what might be shared, why and implications of sharing/not sharing. Appreciate and consider alternative actions. Weigh up aspects of the situation. Express clear, personal, consistent view. Record the decision and try to balance the wishes of the child or young person and the parent/carer

16. The role of the Lead Professional The Lead Professional is a set of functions to be carried out as part of the delivery of effective integrated support, when a range of services is involved with a child or young person following a common assessment. The Lead Professional will: Coordinate the delivery of the actions agreed by the practitioners involved. Act as a single point of contact for the child, young person or family. Reduce overlap and inconsistency in the services received.

17. The Family Service Directory Online searchable directory of all children’s services: Direct link on Norfolk County Council website: www.norfolk.gov.uk Eligibility Criteria and Intensive Support Criteria. Contact details for local providers in geographical locations. Accessible to: practitioners, children, young people and their families

18. The CAF database All CAFs completed should be entered on the Norfolk County Council CAF database at these stages Once the Lead Professional has been agreed or changes. Once signed and completed. When the CAF closes. To do this phone the County CAF Coordinator on 01603 228858

19. Additional Support City and South: Graham Beales Tel: 07770 692665 West and Breckland: Amanda Johnson Tel: 01603 638077

20. Additional Support North and East: Louise Penn Tel: 01493 448248 County CAF Coordinator: Tim Arnold Tel: 01603 228858