Early Help at Woodlands
At Woodlands, we understand that family life can sometimes be
difficult and challenging. From time to time there may be situations where you feel you
need more help and support. At these times we are able to offer you what is known as
the Early Help Offer.
Providing early help to our children and families, means we can be more effective in
preventing problems, from affecting children’s ability to thrive and learn. Early help
means providing support as soon as a concern emerges, at any point of a child’s life,
from Reception through to Year 6.
Please see the information below for details of the range of ways in which can help you
to find the support that you need.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
If you need support with your child’s attendance or
are facing any barriers in getting your child to school,
we can support you. Please contact the school and
ask to meet with our friendly Educational Welfare
Officer (EWO). For more information, please see our Attendance Page.
EMOTIONAL LITERACY SUPPORT ASSISTANT (ELSA)
If your child has anxiety regarding school or any aspect of their wider life. We
employ Emotional Literacy Support Assistants, who work with
individuals and small groups of children to support them with managing feelings
and emotions. https://www.elsanetwork.org
DO YOU NEED SUPPORT WITH UNIFORM?
At Woodlands, we will always strive to support any family who needs support to provide the full school uniform to their child/ren. We maintain a stock of high-quality second hand uniform and take part in the annual Winter Coats and Shoes scheme, to support families.
EARLY HELP ASSESSMENT
An Early Help Assessment is a form completed in partnership with a family to identify strengths and needs. An Early Help Assessment can help practitioners to identify what a family would like to change and to develop an action plan. Early help is about receiving the right help at the earliest possible stage. An Early Help Assessment can empower families to achieve change, recognising the family’s knowledge and expertise and including them as active participants in the process of identifying their strengths, needs and desired changes. Each stage of the assessment process, including the final action plan, is negotiated and completed in partnership between the family and practitioners.
An Early Help Assessment can prevent family members from having to repeat information to different professionals by recording this in a single document which, with consent, can be shared. Different practitioners working with a family can be requested to contribute to an assessment. Having an action plan brings clarity to who will be doing what to address the desired changes.
An Early Help Assessments consists of seven areas to be explored; Health, Education, Behaviour and Routines, Family and Community, Finances, Housing and Safety.
If a family no longer feel that their Early Help Assessment is needed, they can let the practitioners who are working with them know.
Our Education Welfare officer and Inclusion Manager are responsible for leading and coordinating Early Help Provision for families at Woodlands.
LEAD PROFESSIONAL
Whilst a family is receiving support, one of the professionals working with them will act as their lead professional. The family should be asked who they think this should be. The lead professional will coordinate support and act as the family’s main point of contact.
