The Child and Family Enquiries (C.A.F.E) service exists to

• Provide advice, guidance and signposting to practitioners and families
• Enable better information sharing
• Act as a central point to register that a Common Assessment (CAF) has been completed and record the named Lead Professional for a child.
• Support Common Assessment processes to help identify and clarify needs.

For more information see the one page overview (PDF file).

Email: CAF.Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk anytime or phone 0845 671 0271 (9am - 4.30pm Mon to Thu, 9am - 4pm on Fridays.) 

Postal address (please mark 'Confidential'): Child and Family Enquiries, Floor 4 Core 4, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2EA.

To view a copy of the Common Assesment Framework (CAF form) please click here

To view a copy of the 'CAF Supporters flyer' which includes the CAF support drop in service please click here

Portsmouth’s provision for children and young people with social, emotional, behavioural developmental needs are co-ordinated through The Harbour school and the Primary Resourced Provision attached to Flying Bull Primary school.

The resourced provision at Flying Bull school is for up to 7 pupils aged 5 to 9. Pupils who attend the school remain on the roll of their ‘home school’ but are dual registered with Flying Bull. They receive more intensive support and, at the appropriate time, will be re-integrated to their home school. Should they need to continue with support they may move to The Harbour school. 

The Harbour makes provision for pupils aged 9 – 16 and then offers support through to 19. Provision is made on five different sites with pupils attending the site most appropriate to their age and or their need. Provision can be short or longer term depending upon the level and complexity of the need.  The aim is a return to mainstream education or, if they are aged 16, integration to college or the workplace.

The Harbour also provides an outreach multi-agency behaviour support service to mainstream schools.

For more information email Philippa Pringle or telephone her on 023 9284 1230.

Children’s Centres offer a range of services comprising:

* early learning integrated with childcare;
* child and family health services;
* family support and outreach to parents; and
* advice and information to parents about children’s services and opportunities to work and train.

For more information about Children's Centres in Portsmouth click here.  

The DfES prospectus issued in June 2005 stated that by 2010 all schools, including special schools, will be expected to offer a ‘core’ of extended services. It also strongly links these developments to the Every Child Matters agenda, Children’s Trust arrangements and Children’s Centres.
 
It is essential to note that there is not a requirement for schools to deliver all these services themselves, nor need they all be delivered from school sites. The requirement is that all children and parents "have access" to a minimum of services and activities and that school’s are able to ensure this access for their children and parents by signposting opportunities if not available on site. This is the notion of schools being a key agent within the community.

What are the core services?

• High quality 'wraparound' childcare provided on the school site or through other local providers.
• A menu of activities to be on offer such as homework clubs and study support, sport, music, dance and drama, arts and crafts, clubs, visits to museums, volunteering, and enterprise activities.
• Parenting support including information sessions for parents.
• Swift referral to a wide range of specialist support services such as speech therapy, child and adolescent mental health services, family support services, intensive behaviour support, and (for young people) sexual health services.
• Community access to ICT, sports/arts facilities, including adult learning.

See CIP's pages