Early Help
At Radcliffe Primary School we understand that from time to time family life can have its complications and sometimes families may need some extra help. To support and advise you at such times we use an Early Help approach.
We believe that by working together we can better support children and families. 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.
Early Help services aim to both provide advice and/or intervene where there is evidence of emerging needs with the objective of preventing escalation to higher level services.
As a school we aim to identify support early and to make sure that appropriate plans are in put in place. This will require families to work with school staff and other agencies if needed.
As a school we offer:
- Nurture/positive support
- Breakfast Club
- Regular Community Drop-in sessions with our local Early Help team.
- Signposting to external agencies
- Voice of the child
What sort of concerns might parents share with us?
A wide range of issues such as boundary setting, domestic abuse, mental health issues, housing concerns, financial worries and debts, morning routines, toilet training, managing screen time, bereavement and loss, cyber bullying- in fact any concerns which you are worried about and that might be having a negative impact on your child.
How will we know when Early Help is needed?
Parents, carers, children and staff may tell us that support is required or practitioners may identify that there are emerging needs and services might be required, as there are concerns about a child.
How will families be supported through an Early Help Offer?
Children and families will be supported and reviewed through an Early help Assessment format, which is currently the assessment process used by the Local Authority.
We can meet informally with parents/carers and children in the first instance and this can be followed by completing the Family Connect form or Early Help Assessment (EHA) if required - the school can make this request for support but parents can make it themselves if they prefer.
Following our discussion and assessment, families may be supported by a range of professionals from within school and beyond. An initial meeting may be held with school staff or directly with external family support workers to look at what is working well, what needs to change and to agree some action that needs to be taken to help and support families. This will always be done with parents/carers consent. The lead worker arranges review meetings and is someone that you can speak to at any point.
Gaining children’s views, wishes and feelings is central to our Safeguarding policy, and the support team may also carry out some direct work with children completing the '3 houses' sheet to discuss any worries, good things and dreams for the future.