Early Help

Helping Families Early: What We Do?

Early Help

Early Help means that children, young people, and families receive the right help as soon as a problem emerges. This could be at any age through childhood and adolescence. In Sefton this is known as Helping Families Early to thrive. This is not a separate service; it is an activity undertaken by anyone who is working with families. It relies upon local services (such as Schools, Health, Police and Voluntary Organisations) working together to identify and support children and families who would benefit from extra help.

Sefton Services

The majority of families will be able to access universal services and are encouraged to make use of the Sefton Directory, this provides helpful information and advice, and can be accessed by any practitioner, child, young person or family member.

The Sefton CVS Directory is also available.  

These directories provide a detailed list of services that are available in their community, including details of local services and community groups so families can get the advice they need. In addition to build confidence and provide support at an early stage an online digital platform for parents, children, young people and professionals which will provide a front door to families offering a digital one stop shop.

However, sometimes some additional help is needed by families so they can provide consistent and appropriate care for their children. Families can ask for support in finding and getting that help from any practitioner they are involved with. This could be a health visitor, GP, school or voluntary organisation. The support could include, for example, access to a parenting courses or groups.

Getting Help

Early Help Assessments

Typically, the first step when getting help is for an Early Help Assessment to be completed. This is a simple step and will help you to identify your family's strengths and what you would like to be different. It also acts as a summary of your family situation, so you don't have to keep repeating yourself to practitioners. 

A plan is then put together using this information to help you achieve the changes you want to make; this is called an Early Help Plan and keeps the children and young person at the centre. The plan pulls together the help you need, even if this is from other area agencies.

The plan will be regularly reviewed with you, your family and those working to help ensure you are getting the right support and that you are making progress towards your goals.

EHA Final 2023  (pdf 2.29MB)

Targeted Early Help

There are times when the challenges of family life become complex, and families may need some bespoke support for a period of time. Targeted help focuses on the specific needs the family need to help them make positive changes.

Targeted Family Support Team

Targeted Family Support work with families to stop issues and problems getting worse. The team works with your family to identify your strengths and based on this support you 2-3 times a week for between 12-20 weeks. This targeted help will support you and your family to gain knowledge, confidence and practical support and help get you back on track.

What is Available at our Wellbeing Hubs

Click here to see what is available at our Family Well Being Hubs

Who to contact

Telephone
0345 140 0845 0345 140 0845
Website
Early Help Sefton.gov Page

Where to go

Address
Magdalen House
30 Trinity Road
Bootle
Postcode
L20 3NJ
View L20 3NJ on a map Get directions to L20 3NJ

Last Updated

Last updated: 21/09/2023

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