Our Early Help Offer
What is Early Help?
Every family experiences ups and downs. Parenting can be challenging, and sometimes you and your child may need extra support during their school journey. There is no shame in asking for help.
Early Help allows you to identify what’s going well, where you might benefit from additional support, and who’s best to assist you and your family. This often involves an Early Help Assessment (EHA).
We prioritise working in collaboration with families, focusing on openness, integrity, and understanding, with the child's needs at the heart of everything we do. Remember, Early Help is everyone’s responsibility. You can speak with any member of the school team, and they will gladly assist you. Class teachers or the school office are usually the best initial contacts. We also have trained specialists who are part of our Early Help team.
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
The process begins with a conversation with a staff member about what's going well and what challenges you and your family may be facing. They’ll inform you about the available support, which may lead to an EHA. This assessment helps us gain a comprehensive understanding of your family’s situation, highlighting strengths and areas needing extra support. Participation is entirely your choice, and you can select who else is involved.
An EHA can:
- Help you identify what’s going well and what isn’t for your family.
- Clarify the support you and others might need.
- Create a clear picture of your family’s circumstances, which can be shared with your permission, reducing the need to repeat your story to different professionals.
- Involve you in a collaborative team working towards the same goal, helping everything to improve.
What Happens After the EHA?
With your consent, professionals from various organisations working with your family will share information and collaborate to provide support for you and your children. This may include school staff, health visitors, and others involved. Following this, a 'Team Around the Family' (TAF) meeting may be arranged to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the best outcomes for your family.
Why Do I Need to Give My Permission?
Your personal information is yours, and it’s protected by law. Agencies cannot share your information unless you agree. Giving permission ensures that you maintain control over who has access to your information and how it’s used. This safeguarding is in place to protect your privacy and ensure your comfort throughout the support process.
What is a ‘Team Around the Family’ (TAF) Meeting?
This meeting is held regularly to review your family's progress and ensure the right support is in place. During the meeting, you'll have the opportunity to choose a lead worker from those involved with your family—perhaps someone you see frequently or feel most comfortable with. Your lead worker will coordinate review meetings and be your point of contact for any concerns or issues your family may face.
At Lenthall Infant and Nursery School, we foster an open-door policy, encouraging communication with all parents, children, and families. This helps us ensure every child is safe, happy, and learning. We strive to meet the diverse needs of our children in various ways.