 Integrated Practice and Contact Point
Meeting the Needs of Children and Families in Hertfordshire New
The new 'Meeting the Needs' handbook is is now available. This is the new IP (Integrated Practice) tool which is being introduced as part of the current CSF roadshows about the new arrangements to support vulnerable children in Hertfordshire led by David Ring, Head of Early Intervention.
From Monday 22nd February 2010, all schools will receive delivery of the new Meeting the Needs Handbook, via the school postbag (ten copies for secondary schools and five copies for all other school types).
To support the “Right Response” programme, and our efforts to promote early intervention and offer preventative solutions to addressing families’ needs, there is a new interim contact list available, to find out more visit:
 Meeting the Needs of Children and Families in Hertfordshire
To find out more about the dates and venues of the remaining roadshows, which run until 18th March 2010, go to Connect:
To book a place at one of these events send an email to: good2outstanding@hertscc.gov.uk
 What is Integrated Practice?
The way we deliver services to children and young people in Hertfordshire has changed. Integrated practice means that professionals in the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership work together in a more coordinated way, to share information and deliver services more effectively.
By working together we can make sure that a child’s additional needs are assessed in a more holistic way.
Integrated practice includes introducing new ‘tools’ to help us communicate more effectively. These tools include the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), Lead Professional role, ContactPoint and an electronic version of the CAF. Additionally, the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) is being rolled out to social care staff in CSF.
To help Common Assessment Framework practitioners to call together a Team Around the Child, a contacts directory has been developed on Connect. The directory is arranged by District and Extended School Consortia areas, Descriptions of job responsibilities are being included and County-wide specialists. We hope this will be particularly useful to staff in schools.
The directory can be found on Connect (the HCC intranet accessible from within Hertfordshire Schools)
For queries on integrated practice please email caf-enquiries@hertscc.gov.uk
ContactPoint
ContactPoint is the secure online directory which will help families to get the help and support they need.
ContactPoint is an essential part of the integrated practice agenda in Hertfordshire, which includes other tools such as the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). There is a statutory requirement for schools to work with the local authority to support roll-out of the system to their staff.
It is dedicated to helping those who work with children and young people to deliver fast, effective and co-ordinated services and support. It will support the sharing of information and will allow different agencies to work together more closely across services. Most importantly, it will ensure children get the help and support that they need as quickly as possible, as recommended in Lord Laming’s reviews of child protection.
ContactPoint holds basic information on all children in England up to their 18th birthday, as well as contact details for their parents and carers and services working with a child. For more information about ContactPoint and how it fits into integrated practice please visit:
Single Service Request Form
The new Single Service Request form replaces the current CAF pre-assessment checklist. This form prompts practitioners to consider the Every Child Matters outcome areas and, if more than one area of need is identified, the practitioner should then complete a Common Assessment Framework.
For CSF, the Single Service Request form also replaces the current referral form CSF 3155.
In addition, significant changes have been made to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) form. These changes have been made in response to feedback from practitioners who have been using the form over the last year.
To dowload the forms and guidance, please visit:
Integrated Practice - Guidance for Practitioners
Important guidance for practitioners is now available. 'Meeting the needs of children and young people in Hertfordshire' explains some of the different services which sets out the different levels of need among children and young people in Hertfordshire. It also explains some of the targeted and specialist services that may be able to support children, young people and their families.
To download the document please visit the Herts Direct web site:
Integrated Practice Bulletins
For news on integrated practice, please read the integrated practice bulletins which can be downloaded from Herts Direct at:
Integrated Practice - Training and Awareness
A series of half-day (morning) only modular training sessions are available until March 2010. All courses are based at New Barnfield in Hatfield. To view dates and book on line visit Connect:
District meetings and events are held regularly for IP trained practitioners, for dates and venues visit:
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