CAF Assessment

[Izzywizzy75]

Can anyone please tell me anything about what a CAF assessment is. I have recently been put in contact with a support worker who seems to be very nice, listens and seems to want to help. She said she is going to talk to Ds school to arrange CAF. I have been assuming this is a good thing and it will help Ds get support - ami I right? Thanks in advance

They are a truly awful county when it comes to SEN provision.

In that case I would very much recommend that you didn't agree to a CAF as I know that it will not bring services, at least not any that you would value.

It will bring paperwork and meetings and an illusion of business but make bugger all difference to your ds.

Sometimes too, a refusal of these things can actually bring more help too, as people start to worry that the child has no advocate.

Herts does not have a policy, official or unofficial, that denies Statutory Assessments on the grounds of no CAF (it would be illegal if they did).

Thank you both. CAF is not happening.
Should I ask senco to make a referral to the autism advisory clinic ?

There's an autism advisory clinic?

What is that? What do they do? Who staffs it? You should I expect at least find out first what they are for.

I would advise you to find specific problems that needs solutions, rather than getting referrals all over the shop for generic 'help'.

That way, the help you receive is for that which YOU have defined as needing rather than help someone else has said you need because it fits in with what they like delivering iyswim.

So, your ds has HFA. How old is he, and does he go to school?

If so, at school does he get any support? If so, do you know what for, and for how long, or anything about the strategies they are using and their relevance for your ds? Are these strategies working? If so, how do they know? Does he have an IEP or any targets

These are probably the things you should discuss with the SENCO in the first instance and once you have, follow up the discussion with a 'thank you email and confirmation of everything she has said'.

Then you need to satisfy yourself that she is meeting your child's needs. I imagine probably not, if you are thinking of applying for a SA, but if on the otherhand the school really are meeting his needs then you will not get a statement.

The journey towards a statement is a rough one. It will involve without doubt, the involvement of the Autism Advisory Service which is one very good reason not to apply unless absolutely necessary invho.