Early Help
“Providing early help is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting later. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life, from the foundation years through to the teenage years”.
Here at Naunton Park Primary School, we understand that family life can, at times, be difficult and complicated and we recognise that there may be situations where you need extra help and support.
Our Early Help Offer identifies the need to help our children and families as soon as problems start to emerge, or when there is a strong likelihood that problems will develop in the future. The Gloucestershire Early Help and Targeted Support Service is made up of local teams of professionals who deliver practical advice and support to children, young people and their families.
Early help at our school is offered through the following areas in collaboration with other agencies:
- Attendance in school
- Emotional and behavioural needs
- Parenting skills
- Delay in development and learning
- Identification and assessment of special educational needs
- Speech and language delay
- Domestic abuse
- Faith abuse
- Gangs and Youth Violence
- Gender based violence (violence against women and girls, including FGM)
- Parental mental health
- Healthy eating and nutrition
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Family support including Gloucestershire Families First Plus Team
- Private Fostering
- Radicalisation
- Sexting
- Teenage Relationship Abuse
- Trafficking
The help we offer is delivered by a wide range of professionals including:
- Education Psychologists
- Early Help Officers
- Early Help Social Workers
- Family Support Workers
- Play workers
- Child mental health specialists
- Specialist behavioural support teachers and workers
- Gloucestershire Families First Plus Team
How can I access this service?
If you have some concerns a good starting point is to come and discuss your concerns with the Headteacher, who can on your behalf, make a referral to the Gloucestershire Early Help and Targeted Support Team.
Our approach is to work closely with families. Before we can start to work with your family we need your consent. The work is confidential and you will be asked for permission for us to speak with other relevant professionals on your behalf.
Useful contact details:
Gloucestershire Family Information Service (FIS)
Advisors give impartial information on childcare, finances, parenting and education. FIS are a useful source of information for parents and professionals. They support families, children and young people aged 0-19 years of age (25 for young people with additional needs) and professionals working with these families. They can help link parents up with other organisations that might be able to help or provide the information themselves e.g. parents could ask them about holiday clubs for your children across Gloucestershire.
Contact the FIS by emailing:
familyinfo@gloucestershire.gov.uk or telephone: (0800) 542 0202 or (01452) 427362. FIS also have a website which has a wealth of information to support many issues such as childcare and support for children with disabilities. www.glosfamilies.org
For information for Children and Young People with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) go to the SEN and Disability ‘Local Offer’ - www.glosfamilies.org.uk/localoffer
GSCB (Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Board)
Important information for parents and professionals across Gloucestershire in relation to keeping children safe and avenues of support, including Early Help options.
E-Safety
Technology is constantly changing. How can we keep our children safe whilst still enjoying the benefits of the internet?
The links below give parents helpful advice on this subject.
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional health and wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher so they can help support your child in school. You can also contact the school nurse for further advice.
Telephone 0300 421 1795
E-mail GlosSchoolNurseLocalityTeam@glos-care.nhs.uk
Website School Nursing
For more information about emotional health and wellbeing, you can also visit the following websites:
Childline
Beat Bullying
Young Minds
Caring for Communities and People (CCP)
CCP is based in Cheltenham and aims to support individuals and families in a variety of ways. The details below have been taken from their website. Their contact details are:
01242 228 999
or visit Cheltenham 1st Stop, 301-305 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HW
For Cheltenham Advice & Inclusion Service, call 01242 694530
Their Purpose:
CCP exists to improve the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable adults who have multiple and complex needs. Our priority is to those who have been excluded or have excluded themselves from mainstream services.
We work in partnership with the person and other agencies to create a sustainable and portable package of care and support networks, which enable them to realise their aspirations and reach their full potential in life.
Their Mission:
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Promote and support healthy living
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Help maintain a safe and stable home environment
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Encourage and support learning and achievement
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Promote respect and positive social behaviour
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Encourage personal economic sustainability
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Provide both crisis and preventative services
Drug Concerns
Drugs education is covered in the school curriculum.
The Life Education Bus visits annually as part of the provision of PSHE/SMSC in school.
www.infobuzz.co.uk/: Info Buzz provides individual targeted support around drugs & emotional health issues, development of personal & social skills, and information & support around substance misuse.
www.onyourmind.nhs.uk – provides advice on drug/alcohol misuse.
Domestic Abuse
If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic abuse there are a number of things you can do. You can:
Call the police (999 in an emergency or 101 for a non-emergency situation).
Contact GDASS on 0845 602 9035 for practical local support.
- GDASS can help you and your children stay safe in your own home.
- GDASS can help you access specialist legal advice.
- GDASS can help you with other agencies (e.g. Benefits and Housing).
- If you cannot stay at home, GDASS can help you find a Place of Safety.
- GDASS can help you and your children move on.
Contact a help line:
National Domestic Violence Helpline (0808 2000 247).
National Centre for Domestic Abuse (0844 8044 999).
Men’s Advice Line (0808 801 0327).
CARP: 0845 602 9035 (providing advice for victims of domestic violence)