Early Help

Every family is unique with its own combination of strengths and weaknesses. Any family can get overwhelmed by what seems like endless challenges when it comes to juggling money, school and each other’s needs. And sometimes families are disrupted by a change in circumstance such as a mental or physical illness, a job loss, or an addiction. Even “joyful” events such as a wedding or a new job can bring unexpected problems.

1. What is Early Help?
The purpose of early help is to prevent issues and problems becoming serious and harmful to a child or young person, their family and community. When children and families need this extra support, they often need it quickly. Provision of early help support can be at all stages of a child’s life: pre-birth, during pregnancy, childhood or adolescence.

2. What does Early Help include?
Support for pupils which includes:

• Promoting good attendance and punctuality.
• Promoting self-esteem and confidence.
• Promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning.
• Providing individualised support.

Support for families which includes:

• Providing information and signposting to other services in the local area.
• Liaising with a range of external services such as housing and Family Support Workers.
• Assistance in completing paperwork and forms e.g. housing, foodbank vouchers, attendance and support at school and other agency meetings.
• Advice and support in promoting positive behaviour at home.
• Guidance with career and personal development and access to training and workshops in school.

3. Who provides Early Help support in school?

The answer is any member of staff: usually, the class teacher in the first instance as they have most contact with the children. All staff receive safeguarding training to ensure that the advice given is in the best interests of keeping children safe. The school telephone number is 01453 890216. Please call if you would like us to refer you for ‘Early Help’. We will support you through this process to help when times are challenging.

Our Safeguarding Team have all received Level 3 Inter-Agency Training and keep their Safeguarding knowledge up to date through the attendance at local forums, training events and reflective supervision practice.

Our Safeguarding Team are:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Mrs Lisa Hillman – Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Mr Chris Ford – Senior Leadership Team

Miss Hannah Beale – Senior Leadership Team &  SENCO

Govenor

Patricia Carrington

Useful Contact Details:

Useful Links

Gloucestershire Early Help, Advice, Guidance and Support

National Information Centre on Children of Offenders

Family Information Services