The Team Around the Child and Family (TACF)
What is Team around the Child and Family?
The TACF brings together the parent, child or young person and practitioners into a small team
focused around the needs of a child or young person. TACF usually happens when a Common
Assessment has been undertaken and the children/young person has more complex needs requiring multi agency support. It is an opportunity for the family and practitioners involved to come together and discuss and agree the CAF action plan. Once formed the TACF may continue to review the action plan at regular intervals.
Who is involved in the TACF?
TACF membership will vary depending on each individual situation and may change as the needs of the child/young person and family change. A TACF meeting cannot be held without informing the parent and the child/young person themselves (taking into account age and understanding). It is expected that children, young people, parents and carers will be invited to any TACF meeting and will be fully involved and central to decision making. Membership may also include relevant agencies/services currently or recently involved with the family (including any adult service working with parents).Invitations should be sent directly to the relevant named practitioner where known or contact the YorOK Child Index for further advice and for the contact of the relevant CAF Champion *.
What is the function of the TACF?
- Agree the needs of the child and family
- Identify how support can be offered to the child and family to meet those needs including
actions for the family and child to undertake where appropriate - Arrange as necessary additional referrals based on a Common Assessment as a pathway to
targeted and specialist services - Complete a TACF CAF action plan to meet the needs of the child/young person
- Agree who will be the Lead Practitioner and identify a new Lead Practitioner, if and when
appropriate. Views of children, young people and their families must be taken into
consideration in this decision-making process. - Identify where needs cannot be met and report these to the Integrated Working Team
- Provide copies of the plan to all TACF members (including the family of the child/young
person) .
Who calls a TACF?
Usually the Lead Practitioner would arrange the TACF. Where a Lead Practitioner has not yet been identified the person who completes the CAF should arrange the initial meeting at which the Lead Practitioner should then be identified.
Who Chairs the TACF?
The TACF will be chaired by the practitioner completing the CAF (unless agreed otherwise in
advance). Where it would be inappropriate for the CAF author to chair the meeting the TACF may be chaired by one of the following:
- CAF Champion*
- YorOK Broker*
- Line Manager of the agency initiating the CAF
What happens after a TACF meeting?
A record of the meeting which outlines the CAF action plan and identifies the Lead Practitioner will be shared with all those invited. Where possible this should take place within five working days.
How often do the TACF meetings take place?
It is important that the CAF action plan is reviewed regularly. The Lead Practitioner will convene further TACF reviews as often as necessary, but at a minimum of every 6 months. The family can request a review at any time as can any practitioner involved with the family. The Lead Practitioner should inform the YorOK Child Index when a review has taken place and the date of the next review.
The TACF does not always have to be planned and reviewed through formal meetings. It can also be done by telephone/email but it is important that there is always a Lead Practitioner and an agreed plan of action.
The Review should ensure that:
- Each action specified in the plan is reviewed against the stated desired outcome; The views of the child or young person and their parents have been considered;
- The outcome of any specialist assessment is considered;
- The plan is revised;
- Any identified unmet needs are recorded and reported to the Integrated Working Team;
- A record of the review must be made by the Lead Practitioner and shared with all those involved in the review five working days.
- Consider whether the Lead Practitioner identified is still the most appropriate practitioner to
undertake this role and they are happy to continue in the role. If not a new Lead Practitioner
must be identified.
TACF principles and best practice:
- Informs, involves and empowers parents (and other close family members)
- Takes a holistic approach
- Is encouraging, positive and supportive to all members
- Gives all members an equal voice
- Arrives at collective agreements
- Acknowledges differences of views and negotiates workable solutions
- Arrives at collective agreements: agrees needs, decides an action plan and provides well organised support
