SAEF Training

Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF) Training

The Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF) is a groundbreaking approach designed to transform age assessment practice across the UK and beyond. Developed through the first research study into how social workers make age assessment decisions, alongside continual analysis of case law, SAEF offers a holistic, trauma‑informed, and culturally compassionate framework that aligns age assessments with core social work values.

Tested with independent organisations, local authorities and informed by young people with lived experience, SAEF is rapidly becoming recognised as the future national standard for age assessment practice.

Why SAEF?

• Moves away from interrogatory, immigration‑style assessments
• Embeds trauma‑informed and anti‑discriminatory principles
• Strengthens practitioner confidence and credibility
• Ensures assessments are robust, reflective and legally sound

Training Overview

Delivered online over three days, this training authorises participants to use SAEF in future age assessments.

Day 1

• Current context of age assessment
• Legislation, case law and guidance
• Preparing young people and social workers for assessment

Day 2

• Introduction and use of the framework
• Trauma‑informed practice principles
• Age indicators and evidence gathering
• Contextual factors and minded‑to discussions
• Anti‑discriminatory and reflective practice

Day 3

• Analysing and weighting evidence
• Writing legally robust reports
• Quality assurance and scrutiny

What You’ll Receive

• Authorisation to use SAEF in practice
• Digital and hard‑copy toolkit with recommended tools and resources
• Confidence to deliver assessments that stand up to professional and legal scrutiny

⚠️ Important Notice
Only practitioners who have completed SAEF training are authorised to use the framework and toolkit. Use by untrained individuals is strictly prohibited and may expose organisations to legal challenge or professional liability.