This independent evaluation offers a snapshot of a diverse selection of common assessment framework and lead professional activity in twelve English areas chosen by the DfES to trial these processes ahead of the national roll out after April 2006. The key research question was ‘what helps or hinders practitioners in implementing the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and Lead Professional (LP) working.’ The study sought to identify and understand the approaches to CAF and LP work, how practitioners and managers are finding these to be functioning, and the context within which they are operating. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, professional perspectives were examined over a seven month period between September 2005 and March 2006.