The school will always involve the family in all Early Help strategies and most will only be put in place with their permission. The school will aim to work with families in a supportive, non-judgemental way so that trust is built up and the best possible outcomes achieved. There are occasions, however, when the school’s safeguarding team or member of school staff may believe that a child may be at immediate risk of significant harm and that by informing the parents/carers of the concern may put the child at further risk. In these cases the school will implement section 47 procedures. This will involve an immediate referral to social care without the parents/carers knowledge. School Indicators for Children or Families That May Require Early Help The following list provides examples of areas where, without intervention a family may break down or a child may be put a risk of neglect, emotional, physical or sexual harm. This also includes the risk of extremism. The school has no pre-prescribed criteria for supporting children and families. Each case is assessed according to needs and a bespoke programme put in place for that child and/or family: Indicator Indicator Indicator Indicator Low Parenting Skills Substance/Alcohol Abuse Domestic Abuse Child Mental Health Bereavement Child Unaware of Danger and How to Keep Themselves Safe Extremist views Poor Diet - Obesity, Malnourished Young Carer Breakdown in community relationships Adult Mental Health Changes in Behaviour and Risk of Exclusion Child Demonstrates Sexualised Behaviours Low Income or Poverty Breakdown in family relationships Isolation Disability of a Child Poor Attendance and Punctuality Frequent House or School Moves Limited Community Integration Transport Special Educational Needs (refer to Local and School offer) Disability of an Adult Child Unaware of How to Keep Themselves Safe Online Cleanliness and Hygiene Example Early Help Points of Contact
The school has divided its Early Help strategies into 4 areas: Universal Support is for all and is what all children and families would normally receive, Community Support is for a child or family who may need some extra support, Specific Support is for children and families who need specialist support and Acute is where a child or their family need a high level of support to prevent harm. Universal Support Community Support Specialist Support Specific Support Family Friends School Staff Governors Parent Teacher Association Breakfast Club After School Clubs Community Clubs (i.e. sports, arts etc.) Family Support Worker Inclusion Manager School Safeguarding Team School E-Safety Team Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Police GP Health Visitor Midwife School Nurse Street Warden District/County Council Change4Life School Clubs Food Bank Targeted Support Team (TST) School Safeguarding Team Social Care (Initial/Core Assessment) Parenting Courses (Triple P, Families and Schools Together (FAST) Paediatrician Counselling Play Therapy Art Therapy 1:1 Therapy from Specialist Therapists Children and Young People's Services Education, Entitlement and Inclusion Team Physiotherapist Family Endowment Fund Social Care - Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN) School Safeguarding Team Social Worker Police - Police Protection Order (PPO) Courts - Care Proceedings Counselling