Early Help Support and Involvement

The right help, at the right time, in the right place. 

We believe Early Help is a collaborative approach, not a provision. All children and young people will receive Universal Services, however, some children, either because of their needs or circumstances, will require extra support to achieve their potential.

Children need to be safe and confident that the adult world understands their needs and recognises their vulnerabilities. For children and young people who need some support, a multi-agency approach is usually best based on current information being gathered using an Early Help Involvement Form.

The Early Help Involvement is a tool (also known as Common Assessment Framework) that allows professionals understand the families current situation. This offers a standardised approach that can be used across all services working with children, young people and their families to offer early intervention.

The involvement form is designed to assess and be shared between professionals and used as a starting point for planning solutions and support. The assessment process is underpinned by collaborative partnership working with families and the child or young person remaining at the centre.

Help Point 

If you feel your family or a family you know would benefit from support you can contact Help Point. Help Point is here for families with children and young people aged 0-19 to get the right help, at the right time, in the right place.  

For further information please visit the Help Point website or telephone: 01642 527225 where a member of the team will be happy to help.

The purpose of an assessment within Early Help

The assessment process for children, young people and families will help agencies meet the obligations set by Sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004 to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 

Stockton's process

This process applies to all professionals working with, or coming into contact with, all children, young people and families.

• Early Help Procedure
  Early help Procedure and information

• Fraser Guidelines
  This form enables professionals to assess a child's competency to consent.

Stockton's forms from 1 March 2019

• Early Help Involvement - Full Form
  This form requires consent, and consent must be obtained from a parent/carer and/or a Fraser competent young person before completing the form.
  

• Early Help Involvement - Action Plan Section
  This is the section to complete at review meetings.
  

• Early Help Strategy        
  

• SAFER Referral (Child Protection website)                                                                                          
  A SAFER Referral is required for those children that are at risk of significant harm.

Sponsored Day Care Provision

Sponsored Day Care applications can be submitted by a professional in Children’s Services and partner agencies that have direct contact, have completed an assessment and contributed to the development of an action plan. The plan must identify that access to early years provision would be of direct benefit to the child.

The application will be considered at the next panel meeting which are held fortnightly. Following panel, a decision letter is sent to the referrer and copies sent to the parent/carer and the Health Visitor.

Documentation:

• Sponsored Day Care Procedure
• Sponsored Day Care Flow Chart
• Sponsored Day Care Panel Dates
• Sponsored Day Care Application Form
• Sponsored Day Care Review Form

Contact the Early Help Assessment (EHA) Team

Stockton has a dedicated team to help and support professionals and families through the Early Help process.

Contact an Early Help Support Officers for advice and support

Email: [email protected]