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Early Help

What is an Early Help Assessment?

  • The Early Help Assessment is a collaborative approach to working with children and young people.
  • It involves active listening to both you and your child, seeking to understand your child's needs and identifying the positive aspects of their life.
  • An action plan, developed in agreement with you and your child, is then put into action to ensure your child receives the right kind of support.
  • Importantly, participation in the Early Help Assessment is entirely voluntary, allowing you and your child to decide whether you want to be a part of it.

How Can the Early Help Assessment Benefit My Family?

  • The Early Help Assessment is designed to support you in caring for your child.
  • It can lead to swift solutions or pinpoint additional support if required.
  • By bringing together everyone involved in your child's life, such as teachers and health visitors, it ensures a coordinated effort to support your child.
  • This early intervention approach helps address your child's needs before they escalate, making assistance more effective.
  • Additionally, since it's a shared assessment, you and your child won't have to repeat your story to different professionals.

When is the Early Help Assessment Utilized?

  • The Early Help Assessment can be initiated when you, or someone working with your child, believe your child would benefit from extra support.
  • It helps identify your child's specific needs and the additional resources required to support your family.

How Does It Operate?

  • A professional, with your agreement, will engage you and your child in a conversation to assess what kind of help and support your child may require.
  • The information gathered is recorded on a simple form, with both you and your child agreeing on its contents, and you will receive a copy.

Confidentiality:

  • Generally, information shared by you and your child will only be disclosed with your family's consent.
  • However, there may be instances when sharing information is necessary, such as in cases of urgent child safety concerns, helping a child at risk, safeguarding adults, or preventing/detecting serious crimes.