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The Early Intervention Common Assessment Tool (CAT) supports a flexible and consistent approach to conducting comprehensive assessments with children, young people and families.
The CAT is holistic, family led and culturally safe. It is designed to assess a family’s strengths and their current challenges.
The CAT consists of three resources designed to be used together:
This animation highlights the features of the Early Intervention Common Assessment Tool. A tool designed to assess a family's strengths and needs.
This animation highlights the features of the Early Intervention Common Assessment Tool. A tool designed to assess a family's strengths and needs.
[Voiceover]
Asking for help can be hard.
But support services are here to make you feel safe, supported, and hopeful about what’s ahead.
The CAT, or ‘Common Assessment Tool’ is used by a support worker to guide a confidential conversation with you and your family, that you are in control of.
The CAT explores different areas in life:
● how’s your family’s physical and mental health
● do you have a stable place to live
● does your family feel safe at home
● are you facing financial stress
● any other challenges you’re experiencing and how confidently you feel about handling them
You don’t have to complete the CAT all at once and you can skip anything you don’t feel comfortable answering.
The support worker will also talk to you about your strengths, things like:
Supportive relationships, cultural identity, and connections with community.
They’ll help you build on these strengths and support you to identify and access services to overcome challenges.
When you complete the CAT, a copy of the form is all yours.
So, you don’t have to tell your story again and again.
Partnering with support workers to complete the CAT means everyone knows what’s most important for your family.
Together, you’ll use your family's strengths and resources to make things better. Giving you the opportunity to focus on what matters most - living a safe and happy life.
The CAT is used by all service providers delivering the Family Connect and Support (FCS) program activity and is strongly encouraged for all other CAFS providers when conducting comprehensive assessments.
The CAT practitioner joint-assessment and family self-assessment templates are available in 12 community languages to support families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. These translations aim to reduce language barriers and promote inclusive, culturally responsive practice across early support services.
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Arabic
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Arabic
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Chinese (Simplified)
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Chinese (Simplified)
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Chinese (Traditional)
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Chinese (Traditional)
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Cook Islands Māori
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Cook Islands Māori
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Dari
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Dari
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Dinka
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Dinka
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Korean
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Korean
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Nepali
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Nepali
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Samoan
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Samoan
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Spanish
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Spanish
Common Assessment Tool Practitioner Joint Assessment Template - Tongan
Common Assessment Tool Family Self-assessment Template - Tongan
The Common Assessment Framework (PDF, 3.7 MB) is designed for agencies delivering early support services. It provides a consistent approach to assessing the strengths and needs of children, young people, and families across services. The Framework outlines the broader principles, expectations, and best practice standards for assessment, including culturally safe, trauma-informed, and strengths-based practice.
The CAT Guide complements the Framework by offering practical resources for conducting comprehensive assessments. It includes templates and prompts to support day-to-day practice.
While the CAT Guide supports the practical application of assessment, the Framework sets the standard for how assessments should be approached across the sector.
All CAFS providers are expected to use the Framework to guide their overall approach to assessment.
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