Welcome to a New Way of Helping Children and Young People - Information Leaflets for Children and Young People, Parents and Carers

DfES has developed information leaflets about the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and the role of the lead professional. The leaflets describe what the CAF is and when it might be used. They also outline the role of a lead professional, and explain how these initiatives will help children, young people and families. Two versions have been developed; one for children and young people and one for parents and carers.

Background information
The leaflets have been developed in response to local authority requests to have a standard way to explain the CAF and the lead professional role to children and young people, and to parents and carers.

The use of the leaflets is not mandatory or prescriptive and they do not represent official guidance. They can be used by frontline staff who are carrying out a CAF or acting as a lead professional to help them explain the process.

The content of the leaflets was drafted following a detailed research phase. The development process included reviewing and discussing with several groups of children, young people, parents and carers a range of leaflets that had been produced by local authority Trailblazers.

Parentline Plus facilitated the discussion groups. The messages which emerged from this research helped to inform the production of draft leaflets that were consulted on in more detail. Every attempt was made to remain child and parent-focused when drafting the text.

Click for more materials on this website relating to CAF and the lead professional.