Early Help
Families First Support at Beacon Academy
What is Families First?
Families First, previously known as Early Help, is taking action early to provide support where families or children may be experiencing difficulties. This support may be provided at any point in a child or young person’s life. The sooner the family receives the support, the sooner they are able to improve their situation and prevent the need for prolonged support.
Families First support is there to find out what is working well for families and what areas they might be worried about. It can help to build on families’ strengths and identify any needs where support might be needed. It is an approach that brings people together from different teams and services, who work together with the whole family. The main focus is to improve outcomes for children and support the family to overcome any difficulties they are facing.
Families First support can be provided in the most complex of circumstances as well as the simplest. It means responding promptly if a child is at immediate risk of harm, has other significant or complex needs, in addition to responding to a need which only requires advice or guidance.
Why would I need support through Families First?
The type of things that Families First can support you with include:
- Worries about your child’s health development or behaviour
- Worries about how your child is doing at school
- Worries about money or housing
- Support when your family may be affected by domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol, ill health or crime
- Advice about the tools to solve challenges or problems you are experiencing with help from others where needed.
Who do I ask for help?
You can talk with someone who you’re familiar with at the academy or email familysupport@beacon.lhmat.com
With your consent we can speak to other agencies to ensure that you as an individual and your family get the right response, the right support and services, from the right people, at the right time.
Our aim is to meet any needs early and avoid a situation escalating or the need increasing.
You can also contact your local Family Hub and ask to speak to a Duty Worker who will be able to provide lots of advice around Early Help and how it might be able to support you. More information can be found at the website https://www.walsallfamilyhubs.co.uk/ or by calling 01922 654589.
What might we offer in response to your concerns?
- Contact with our Senior Mental Health Lead
- After School Clubs
- Referrals to other agencies such as Speech and Language Therapy
- Parent Information Sessions (academic and pastoral, e.g. Phonics or maths workshops)
- SEND Coffee afternoon
- Pupil Voice Opportunities
- Government Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
- Pre loved Uniform
- Curriculum provision and additional work from outside agencies support our children in learning how to keep themselves safe.
Who might Beacon Academy Refer to:
- The Families First Team at the Family Hubs
- Children and Young People's Services
- County Inclusive Support Service
- Counselling Services
- School Nurse
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Educational Psychologist
- Young Carers
- SENDAT
- SENDIAS
- Local Authority Family Services team
If early help is appropriate, our staff will liaise with other agencies and set up an inter-agency assessment called My Family.
Our staff will work closely with you to review your needs and the school will consider a referral to local authority children’s social care if the situation does not seem to be improving. Timelines of interventions will be monitored and reviewed carefully and your family will remain at the heart of everything we do.
Follow the link below for the most up to date procedure for Early Help Assessments in Walsall
Early Help for parents | Walsall Council
If you have any queries or would like to discuss your situation with our pastoral team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team or by emailing familysupport@beacon.lhmat.com
