Common Assessment Framework. ARCH masterclass Questions included (CAF) Ecaf Alert

 

 

Common Assessment Framework.

 

The CAF is a central feature of the 'Every Child Matters' agenda. It is an in-depth, personal profiling and assessment tool to be used on children by practitioners in any agency with which a child has contact.  It facilitates information-sharing by introducing a standardised set of assessment criteria for agencies that have, up until now, had their own different ‘in-house’ assessment procedures.

 

The form can be filled in online and will be entered into a child's records on a national database. Practitioners are advised to enter evidence where possible, and not only personal opinion.

 

ARCH masterclass

 

Database masterclass at Action on the Rights of Children

 

More info on ecaf from ARCH

 

Questions included (CAF)

 

The form includes information including identifying details, unique reference number, ethnicity, religion, language, disability, and questions include:

 

Current family and home situation

(e.g. family structure and who the child lives with and doesn’t live with, including siblings, other significant adults etc.)

 

General health

Conditions and impairments; access to and use of dentist, GP, optician; immunisations, developmental checks, hospital admissions, accidents, health advice and information

 

Physical development

Nourishment; activity; relaxation; vision and hearing; fine motor skills (drawing etc.); gross motor skills (mobility, playing games and sport etc.)

 

 

Speech, language and communication

Preferred communication, language, conversation, expression, questioning; games; stories and songs; listening; responding; understanding

 

Emotional and social development

Feeling special; early attachments; risking/actual self-harm; phobias; psychological difficulties; coping with stress; motivation, positive attitudes; confidence; relationships with peers; feeling isolated and solitary; fears; often unhappy

 

 

Behavioural development

Lifestyle, self-control, reckless or impulsive activity; behaviour with peers; substance misuse; antisocial behaviour; sexual behaviour; offending; violence and aggression; restless and overactive; easily distracted, attention span/concentration

 

Identity, self-esteem, self-image and social presentation

Perceptions of self; knowledge of personal/family history; sense of belonging; experiences of discrimination due to race, religion, age, gender, sexuality and disability

 

 

Family and social relationships

Building stable relationships with family, peers and wider community; helping others; friendships; levels of association for negative relationships

 

Self-care skills and independence

Becoming independent; boundaries, rules, asking for help, decision-making; changes to body; washing, dressing, feeding; positive separation from family

 

Learning

 

 

Understanding, reasoning and problem solving

Organising, making connections; being creative, exploring, experimenting; imaginative play and interaction

 

Participation in learning, education and employment

Access and engagement; attendance, participation; adult support; access to appropriate resources

 

 

Progress and achievement in learning

Progress in basic and key skills; available opportunities; support with disruption to education; level of adult interest

 

 

Aspirations

Ambition; pupil’s confidence and view of progress; motivation, perseverance

 

Parents and Carers

 

 

Basic care, ensuring safety and protection

Provision of food, drink, warmth, shelter, appropriate clothing; personal, dental hygiene; engagement with services; safe and healthy environment

 

Emotional warmth and stability

Stable, affectionate, stimulating family environment; praise and encouragement; secure attachments; frequency of house, school, employment moves

 

Guidance, boundaries and stimulation

Encouraging self-control; modelling positive behaviour; effective and appropriate discipline; avoiding over-protection; support for positive activities

 

Family and Environmental

 

Family history, functioning and well-being

Illness, bereavement, violence, parental substance misuse, criminality, anti-social behaviour; culture, size and composition of household; absent parents, relationship breakdown; physical disability and mental health; abusive behaviour

 

Wider family

Formal and informal support networks from extended family and others; wider caring and employment roles and responsibilities

 

Housing, employment and financial considerations

Water/heating/sanitation facilities, sleeping arrangements; reason for homelessness; work and shifts; employment; income/benefits; effects of hardship

 

Social and community elements and resources, including education

Day care; places of worship; transport; shops; leisure facilities; crime, unemployment, anti-social behaviour in area; peer groups, social networks and relationships

 

 

Ecaf Alert

 

 

ARCH is providing an independent, confidential route for practitioners' views and observations about the new ecaf system currently being "rolled out" across children's services and agencies, to be collected analysed. Anyone working in the children's sector who has any comment to make can use the above link to take part.