Councils sign up to controversial needs-assessment technique

CAF Cards aim to get young people to focus on issues covered in the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), the standardised approach designed to assess young people's needs and help professionals intervene earlier.

The cards - each with an image representing, for example, "behaviour" or "family" - are based on neuro-linguistic programming, which has followers across the world but is dismissed by some as pseudo-science.

The pack of cards, which cost £65, was developed last year by Positive Steps Oldham, a company providing a range of young people's services, including the town's branch of Connexions and its youth offending service.

Dave Stewart, training manager at Positive Steps Oldham, claimed feedback on the cards, used by local authorities in London, Newcastle and Blackpool, among others, had been positive.

"When the CAF came about, an artist and myself worked with young people to develop the CAF Cards," he said. "They aren't meant to replace CAF, but to help engage young people in the process, empowering them and enabling them to talk about what's important.

"The cards enable youth professionals to see issues through the children's eyes."

Stewart added that Positive Steps Oldham was working on a new pack of CAF Cards aimed at under-fives for use in an early years setting later this year.

The use of materials based on neuro-linguistic programming was criticised, however, by Tony Taylor, a youth worker and co-ordinator of web forum Critically Chatting.

"A lot of money is being wasted on simplistic flavour-of-the-month banalities," he said.

"Treat with great caution people who suggest they can help young people reach 'desired states', which neuro-linguistic programming claims to help people reach."

Another card-based assessment tool, Easykit4CAF, has been piloted in South Yorkshire.