What is Early Help?

EARLY HELP

WHAT IS EARLY HELP?

Early Help means providing help for children, young people and families as soon as problems start to emerge, or when there is a strong likelihood that problems will develop in the future.

Early Help:

is for children of all ages and not just the very young;
can be very effective in supporting a child, young person and/or their family to step down from statutory services as well as preventing the escalation of issues; and
is important because there is clear evidence that it results in better outcomes for children.

WHY WOULD I WANT EARLY HELP INTERVENTION?

At Dovery Academy, we understand that family life can, at times, be difficult and complicated and we recognise that there may be situations where you need extra help and support.

Sometimes families need support from a wide range of agencies or people, for example, health services, housing services, family support workers, social workers and local police. As a school, we may be able to signpost a range of services to support families beyond the educational setting.

It could be that you are worried about your child’s health, development or behaviour. It might be linked to money or housing. It could also be linked to domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol, or crime.

The following list provides examples of areas where, without intervention a family may break down or a child may be put at risk of neglect, emotional, physical or sexual harm:

Parenting skills - establishing routines and boundaries/discipline/toileting/feeding/education/health
Poor diet – obesity, malnourished
Financial difficulties - low family income or poverty
Loss of job/employment
Homelessness/living in refuge/temporary accommodation/overcrowding
Frequent house or school moves
Addiction - substance/alcohol abuse
Arrival of a new baby/new (step) brother or sister
Parents separated/divorced/left
Domestic Violence
Serious illness in the family
Family member arrested
Witness to a crime or accident
Death in the family
Bereavement
Being a young carer
Special Educational Needs
Child mental health
Adult mental health
Disability of a child
Disability of an adult/family member
Changes in behaviour
Poor attendance and punctuality
Poor behaviour and risk of exclusion
Child unaware of how to keep themselves safe online
Child unaware of danger and how to keep themselves safe
Child demonstrates sexualised behaviours
Extremist views
Involved in anti-social or criminal activity
Is associated with gangs
At risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation

WHERE CAN I GET EARLY HELP INTERVENTION?

If you feel you and your family might need support to solve some problems, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the safeguarding team:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mrs S Cavender

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs R Blessing

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs N Gill

A member of the safeguarding team will meet informally with you in the first instance and this can be followed by an Early Help Assessment.

Early Help Assessment undertaken by the school is only available during term time.

Alternatively, you can contact the Central Beds Access and Referral Hub on:

- 0300 300 8585 (Mon-Thurs 8:45 am to 5.20pm & Fri 8:45am to 4:20pm)

- 0300 300 8123 (Out of Hours)

You can also email them at - cs.accessandreferral@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

The number of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is 0300 300 8142.

WHAT IS AN EARLY HELP ASSESSMENT?

Children and families will be supported through the Early Help Assessment process by the school.

What happens following an Early Help Assessment will be different for every family. The level of need is assessed on an individual basis and different levels of services can be accessed as a result. This may include support from a range of professionals from within and beyond the school.

Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings may be held in school to identify what is working well, what needs to change and to agree actions to help and support families. This ensures that we work together and meet regularly with professionals to get the best outcome for the family.

The Early Help Assessment is a voluntary process. You choose whether to be involved and can withdraw from the process at any time.

WHAT EARLY HELP SUPPORT COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MY FAMILY?

Support for families includes:

Providing information and signposting to other services in your local area
Liaising with external services e.g. Housing and Children Social Care
Attendance and support at school
Support during appointments and in meetings
Help to complete paperwork and forms e.g. housing, school letters, grant applications and benefits
Advice and support to promote good attendance
Referrals to outside agencies e.g. Speech and Language Therapists
Guidance with access to training and parent workshops in school
Emotional support for parents
Lead on Early Help Assessments and TAF (Team Around the Family) meetings
Give parents access to Disability events and training events
Support for transitioning pupils