Early help aims for agencies to work together to provide support as soon as problems emerge. This is because tackling a problem early can stop things getting worse.
This support could be put in place during pregnancy, or after the baby is born. It could include a local parent preparation class, or a support group for new fathers. It could include a plan to access extra advice from a health visitor via a local children’s centre.
The first step is an early help assessment. This may be suggested by someone already working with a pregnant woman or father to be. Or, a parent or carer may feel their baby will need extra help when they are born. They can then ask someone at a local service for an assessment.
A lead practitioner will do the assessment to work out what help is needed. They may be a GP or health visitor for example. They should work with the family to identify local services to provide the right help and to:
- Develop an early help plan
- Act as an advocate for the family
- Make sure the family can access support (‘coordinating’ the early help).
Social workers are not involved in early help assessments or providing early help services. But sometimes they ask early help services to provide assistance to children and families they are working with.
See our Early help page for more information and advice.