Following our very exciting lunchtime webinar in January, many colleagues have reached out with thoughtful questions about how the Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF) fits alongside existing guidance, case law and local processes. This blog provides reflects the frequently asked questions we receive that we hope will be of use to anyone ready to adopt this new framework.
SAEF was developed to strengthen practice and not to replace what already exists. We designed it to operate in a way that is ethical, trauma informed and grounded in research. Below, I’ve grouped the key questions into themes to help practitioners navigate how SAEF works in practice.
Does SAEF replace existing Merton‑compliant or ADCS‑aligned age assessment processes?
SAEF does not replace Merton‑compliant age assessments, ADCS guidance or any statutory or case law requirements. Instead, it provides a structured, systematic, research‑informed framework that helps practitioners apply existing case law and guidance more consistently and defensibly.
The framework is fully underpinned by the legal principles established in Merton and subsequent case law, and it aligns with national guidance across all UK nations, including ADCS. SAEF offers a systematic approach to implementing these requirements in practice, supporting practitioners to evidence their reasoning, maintain reflective discipline and ensure a child‑centred, and meaningful trauma‑informed process.
In short:
Many questions relate to how SAEF training works, who can use the framework and how materials are accessed.
Can someone who attends SAEF training share the materials with colleagues who haven’t attended?
SAEF is a specialist, practitioner‑led framework that requires trained application. While colleagues can share general learning, the framework itself which includes tools, templates and structured processes, must only be used by practitioners who have completed the accredited training. This protects young people, ensures ethical and legally defensible practice and maintains the integrity of the framework.
Is SAEF a licensed tool? Can one person attend and cascade it to the team?
SAEF is a licensed, quality‑assured framework. To use it in practice, each practitioner must complete the official training. Cascade models are not permitted, as they dilute accuracy, undermine defensibility and risk misapplication of case law. Only trained practitioners are authorised to use SAEF.
Can we purchase the handbook without attending the training?
No. The handbook is part of the licensed training package and is only provided to trained practitioners. It relies on the depth, calibration, and reflective discipline developed during training and is not available as a standalone product. But….. I am writing a book which will be published by Routledge in 2027 so keep an eye out for that!
Some local authorities have developed in‑house models or previously attended age assessment training, so it’s natural to ask what SAEF adds.
If we’ve previously trained with you or developed our own approach, why move to SAEF?
SAEF represents a significant evolution in age assessment practice. It brings together updated case law, cross‑national guidance, research evidence and practitioner‑tested tools into one coherent, defensible framework. It offers:
In‑house models rarely achieve this level of consistency, legal robustness or sector alignment. SAEF provides a unified, future‑proofed approach.
What is the added value compared to current guidance?
Guidance tells practitioners what is required. SAEF shows them how to do it — systematically, ethically and defensibly. It operationalises Merton and ADCS principles into a practical, replicable method.
Are the March training dates virtual, and how often will training be available?
Yes! The March cohort is delivered virtually to maximise accessibility. Additional cohorts will run throughout the year, ensuring practitioners who cannot attend in March have further opportunities.
Does SAEF only cover the full age assessment, or does it also help decide when an assessment is necessary?
SAEF covers both the full age assessment process and the decision‑making that precedes it. It includes structured tools to help practitioners determine whether a full assessment is necessary, supporting proportionality and reducing unnecessary assessments.
Practitioners have also asked how SAEF supports decision‑making in complex or ambiguous situations.
Is SAEF applicable when the concern is that a young person may be younger than claimed?
Absolutely. SAEF is a neutral, systematic framework that supports practitioners to explore all reasonable possibilities including where a young person may be younger and therefore at heightened safeguarding risk. The framework avoids assumptions in either direction.
How does SAEF help practitioners navigate dilemmas?
SAEF includes structured tools that guide practitioners through uncertainty, conflicting information, or ethical tension. The reflective discipline prompts require practitioners to:
This reduces the risk of intuitive or untested assumptions shaping outcomes.
How does SAEF account for exploitation, given that adults can also be victims?
SAEF does not treat exploitation as an age indicator. Instead, it prompts practitioners to explore exploitation as a safeguarding factor that may affect presentation, disclosure, behaviour and memory, regardless of chronological age.
This ensures indicators of exploitation are not misinterpreted as evidence of adulthood, while still allowing practitioners to consider the full safeguarding picture. It protects both children and vulnerable adults and ensures assessments remain ethical, proportionate, and defensible.
In summarry…
SAEF is not a replacement for existing guidance. It is a way of bringing social work practice principles in line with the guidance so practitioners can conduct this complex piece of work with confidence and consistency. As the sector continues to navigate the complexities of age assessment practice, SAEF offers a unified, trauma‑informed and legally robust approach that supports both practitioners and the young people they work with.
If you have further questions or would like to explore training opportunities, I’m always happy to talk all things age assessment so do get in touch here.
