CAF - Common assessment framework

[sarah00001]

Hi, a few wks ago my midwife suggested doing a CAF for me. The reason being that I've separated from my partner and will be a single first time mum, and I don't have much support where I live in the way of family.

I told her I want to think it over and find out more about it before going ahead, but she's said that she wants to go ahead with it anyway and has arranged to fill out the forms tomorrow.

From what I understand about a CAF, its about working out what additional support your child may need and getting together a team of external agencies to help. It is also meant to be entirely voluntary.

I can understand how a CAF can be very helpful, but I'm not ready to have one put in place yet. My child isn't born yet and I don't know what additional support I'm going to need. I also worry about external agencies being involved in how I look after my child and that once I go down the route of having a CAF, certain people might start to interfere in my life and I won't be able to stop them. Even though a CAF is meant to be voluntary, I feel my midwife is trying to force me into doing one.

I'm not ruling out a CAF in the future, but right now, it's not something I want to do, but I'm scared that if I say I don't want to do it, it could backfire on me somehow.

Does anyone know if it's ok to refuse to have a CAF?

Thanks, Sarah

Yes CAFs are voluntary and you can't be forced to have one. If you tell her that you don't consent then she won't be able to continue with it - though she may try to talk you into it.

If she had any significant concerns about you or your baby then her other option is to make a referral to children's services. It would need to be a safeguarding concern though.

Unless there is more background to your situation than you've shared in your post then it shouldn't be a problem.

Thank you for your reply, I don't think she has significant concerns. I also suffered from pre-natal depression earlier on in the pregnancy, but that has improved considerably. I think her main concern is the lack of support I have around me and I do understand why she wants to do a CAF. I just really want to understand how it's going to benefit me and the baby before I go ahead with it and I think I will know more about the help I may need when the baby's actually here.

That's fair enough.

Perhaps identify some local groups where you might meet some other parents and tell her that you'll give it a go by yourself and seek further support if/when you're ready.

Things like surestart centres, breast feeding support group, baby massage etc etc. whatever suits you.

If she can see that you're being proactive and not just fobbing her off then she's less likely to push the issue. Though you are also perfectly entitled to fob her off too!!