Early Help is the support provided for children, young people and their families to respond when difficulties emerge or to stop problems developing in the future. This support can be provided at any point in a child’s life to stop small problems getting bigger. Early help support is a partnership approach.
An Early Help Assessment is a shared assessment for use across all children’s services in Derby City and Derbyshire. It aims to help the early identification of children and young people’s emerging needs where a child and family could benefit from a co-ordinated support from more than one agency (eg: Education, health, CAMHs, housing and police) by working together. The assessment is a family based assessment; this means that each child’s needs/strengths can be captured within one assessment.
The assessment usually takes around 1 hour and we would sit together and talk about any support you and your family may need. Once the assessment is completed and signed by the parent, it is sent to the Vulnerable Childrens Meeting at Derby City Council which is held weekly. At this meeting there are representatives from Health, Housing, Social Care, Education and also under 11s MAT team, youth workers etc.
They will look at the assessment and decide how best to support you and your family.
If you feel this is something that you are interested in, please contact the Safeguarding team on 01332 366711.
Early Help Assessment Form
