Nottinghamshire Common Assessment Framework Handbook

or whose service has the main responsibility for meeting the child’s needs. The lead
professional is responsible for coordinating a joint multi-agency action plan. She or he
arranges regular joint meetings with the family and practitioners working with them to
review and update this action plan.
Many children who have a CAF assessment will need coordinated multi-agency support.
A practitioner who completes a CAF does not automatically become lead professional,
but is responsible for organising the first multi-agency meeting where the lead
professional is identified. Appendix F includes an example agenda for a Team around the
Child (TAC) meeting.
2.4
Useful skills for the Lead Professional
Understand
boundaries of
own skills and
knowledge
Strong
communication
skills; diplomacy;
sensitivity
Establish a
successful and
trusting relationship
with child/family
Knowledge of
local and regional
services for children
and families
Empower child/
family to make decisions
and challenge when
appropriate
Convene
meetings and
initiate discussions
with relevant
practitioners
Understand implications
of the child’s assessment,
for example in relation
to risks and protective
factors
Work effectively
with practitioners
from a range of
services
Support and
enable child/
family to achieve
their potential
2.5
Myth Buster –The Lead Professional Role
n does not need any particular qualifications
n does not have to be an ‘expert’ in everything
n is not automatically the person who carried out the CAF, although that person
is responsible for convening the initial Team around the Child (TAC) meeting at
which the lead professional is agreed
n is not responsible or accountable for the actions of the other practitioners or
services within the TAC. When you are the lead professional, you are accountable
to your home agency for delivering the lead professional functions and the
service provision from your home agency as agreed in the review/action plan
n will have support mechanisms in place to resolve any issues; for example, other
services failing to deliver on agreed actions.
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