Effective early help relies on organisations and agencies working together to:

• identify children and families who would benefit from early help
• carry out an assessment of the need for early help
• provide targeted early help services to address the identified needs of a child and their family, which will focus on activity to improve the outcomes for the child

Responsibility for early help

Councils, under section 10 of the Children Act 2004, have a responsibility to promote inter agency co-operation to improve the welfare of all children.

Councils should work with organisations and agencies to develop joined-up early help services based on a clear understanding of local needs. All practitioners, including those in universal services and those providing services to adults with children, must understand their role in identifying emerging problems, and share information with other practitioners to support early identification and assessment.

A lead practitioner should co-ordinate the activity around the family, ensure the assessment and the family plan responds to all needs identified, and lead on ensuring the family co-produce the plan. The plan might include the family network. The time commitment to deliver this role will vary family by family depending on the complexity of their needs. Where appropriate, local authorities should engage families, including children, to have a say in who their lead practitioner is, and have a process in place to collate feedback on their relationship with them. (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2023)

Moving between children's social care and early help support

We would refer to children's social care if we're worried that a child has been harmed or is at risk of significant harm (for example, physical injury, self-harm, incidents of domestic abuse). Or when a child or young person's needs and outcomes are not being met, despite interventions from early help services, and risks are increasing.

When social care intervention is no longer needed, social workers will work with the family and key agencies to decide how the child's needs will be best met in the future. This may include identifying a lead practitioner and providing early help support.

Referrals

You can use the Early Help assessment to refer a family for support.

Please note, if you have safeguarding concerns about a child, do not use this form. You must contact Middlesbrough MACH on 01642 726004 or email a SAFER referral to middlesbroughMACH@middlesbrough.gov.uk.