Early help means providing support as soon as the need emerges, at any point in a child’s life. Staff at PSJ recognise that any professional can provide early help. 

Jill Broadhurst, Community Senior Family Support Worker: Fylde and Wyre Team, Children and Family Wellbeing Service, Lancashire County Council is the current primary contact for PSJ.

Any pupil or family may benefit from early help, but staff will be alert to the potential need specifically for early help.

The DSL will take the lead where early help is appropriate and consent has been gained. This includes liaising with other agencies and setting up an inter-agency assessment as appropriate. The local early help process will be followed as required to help provide the right, effective support at the right time. 

Staff may be required to support other agencies and professionals in an early help assessment, in some cases acting as the lead practitioner. Any such cases will be kept under constant review assessing the impact of the support.  

Examples of early help services include:

• Parenting support

• Play and activity groups

• Emotional health and wellbeing support

• Communication and language support

Early help (sometimes referred to as ‘early intervention’) services are provided by local authorities. The type of support on offer can vary a lot. Many services will provide information and advice to support families. This can be offered in a one-to-one setting or as part of a group. They may also help families find solutions to specific problems.

Further information about Lancashire's Early Help offer can be found here

Early Help - Lancashire County Council