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What is a caf?

Trying hard

Hi, my son is ten, we are currently looking around senior schools and wondering how he can slot into the environment. It isn't easy at all. He has a diagnosis of sad, and is being looked at for ADHD. The school aren't very helpful and keep saying he isn't bad enough to have any help. We have significant behaviour problems at school, but they say his levels are fine. Which we are questioning as they don't match up. 

Anyway we were referred to camhs for self harming and they have refused us but saying the school can do a caf leading to a tac meeting. I cannot find a guide about caf that's isn't a long document made for professionals. Could anyone help here. I'm trying to find out what it is about and what it will help my son with? 

Carli x

  • Hi Carli,

    a CAF is a Common Assessment Framework. Basically it's a process that identifies a child's needs and should find strategies for dealing with those needs. My son was also turned down by CAMHs (as our GP said-what do they actually except refuse services?). Anyway, it is usually the SENCO at school that is what they call the 'lead professional', that means it is the SENCO that most often does the initial assessment, with your involvement, to identify what support your son will need. Because SENCOs attend meetings with other professionals that deal with Special Needs Children it is meant to be an easier way for them all to find solutions and access what help is available and speed up how long it can take to get support.

    TAC, I think, stands for Team Around the Child. It can also be known as TAF (Team Around the Family). So at these meetings there could be SENCOs, Paediatricians, Speech Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Health Visitors - basically anyone that is involved in the care of a child. 

    CAF is meant to be a 6 month process - so there will be the initial assessment, the case will be taken to the next TAC meeting (usually this is every month), the professionals will discuss your child's case and come up with ideas and agree between them the best course of action. The 'lead professional' will then get back to you to discuss what plan of action they think is suitable and, if you agree to it, they will begin the agreed support. There will then be a review after a few months and if everyone is happy ( including your son), the CAF will be closed because, hopefully, the support will be in place and working for your son. 

    It isn't as daunting or scary as it sounds and you will need to give consent before any action is taken, so nothing can be done without your knowledge. Given your son's age he should also be involved and his opinion asked for in the decision making. 

    You haven't said if your son has been diagnosed with Autism or ADHD,or has a Statement. Unfortunately it sounds as if your son's school are being like this as, legally, they don't have to provide extra support if your son hasn't got a formal diagnosis or a Statement. A 'good' school would pick up on his difficulties and support you in getting him the help he needs. Having a CAF may begin that process - it certainly won't hurt for your son's case to be brought to the professionals' attention and there may be help out there that you are not aware of yet. 

    Don't forget that your son has rights under the Equality Act 2010 and if you feel his needs are not being met then you have a right to appeal any decisions that are made about his care and education. The problem with accessing help is that authorities won't give it unless you can prove it's needed. The National Parent Partnership Network can give impartial advice and can explain anything you don't understand, and can even help with paperwork if you are struggling - so it's well worth getting in touch with them and easing the pressure you're under.