North West Cross Border Protocol

North West Cross Border Protocol

(Please be aware that other local authorities still have the CAF process in place and when reading this document consider ‘CAF’ as ‘TAF’ when referring to Cheshire West and Chester Council)

Principles

• To provide early help and support to families regardless of where they live.
• Consent to share information held within a CAF assessment is paramount and there is an expectation that the relevant practitioner will share information with the new Local Authority.
• Solutions to cross border sharing of CAF information should be needs led, and always be child/young person centred.

Purpose

• To provide all relevant practitioners within the North West with recommended good practice and minimum standards concerning the sharing of CAF related information and integrated working across Local Authority areas.
• It is intended to be read as generic guidance and is not service specific.
• It is recommended that this guidance is linked into local policies and procedures around information sharing, especially where this relates to CAF information.
• To ensure a seamless transition of integrated support to families when they move to a different Local Authority.

Key points to consider

Consent to share CAF information - CAF information can only be shared with other Local Authoritieswith consent from the appropriate person. Information to be shared in line with National Information Sharing Guidance.

Child/young person relocates to another local authority area- Relevant practitioner to send CAF documentation to appropriate person in receiving local authority. The receiving authority has responsibility for reviewing and updating the CAF within 4 weeks and following their Local Authorities CAF procedures

CAF is generated in one local authority area, but the child/young person lives in another-CAF data is recorded in the local authority area where the child is ordinarily resident. If child has split residence the information should be stored by each Local Authority.

Lead Professional works in one local authority area, but the child they are supporting is ordinarily resident in another local authority area.- The child’s needs are central. The child should access support from where they live which will require negotiation depending on individual needs and local provision. Lead Professional can access advice and support from their Local Authority.