Early Help Strategy 2024-2027
What is Early Support?
Early Support is about taking action as early as possible to provide help when concerns are emerging for children, young people and their families. Early Support can be provided at any point in a child or young person’s life. The sooner a family receives support, the sooner they can improve their situation and reduce the need for more intensive or prolonged support.
Early Support helps identify what is working well for families and any areas where they may need additional help. It builds on family strengths while identifying needs and bringing together professionals from different services to work alongside the whole family. The focus is on improving outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Why would I need Early Support?
The type of things that Early Support can help with include:
- Worries about your child’s health, development or behaviour
- Concerns about how your child is doing at school
- Difficulties with money, housing or other issues affecting family life
- The impact of domestic abuse, drug or alcohol misuse, poor physical or mental health, or crime on your child and family
Early Support can provide you with the tools, advice and practical help needed to address challenges and improve outcomes, with support from the right services when needed.
Who do I ask for help?
You can speak to someone you already know and trust, such as a teacher, health professional or support worker, who may be able to help.
You can also contact your local Best Start in Life Family Hub and ask to speak to a member of staff who can provide advice and information about Early Support and how it may help you and your family.
