Early Help and Support | Dothill Primary School

What is Early Help?

Providing early help to our children and families at Dothill Primary school means we can be more effective in preventing problems from affecting a child’s ability to thrive and be successful in school and home. 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 Year 6.

Early help is a term that describes much of the everyday work of schools.

Our Early Help offer at Dothill Primary School is extensive – an awful lot of support, advice and signposting goes on in school and in conjunction with parents and carers.

Early Help Support

What is it?

Members of the Senior Leadership Team are on the playground or front of school at the start and end of the school day.

Parents/carers have the opportunity to speak to the Senior Leaders and Learning Mentor each day if they have any worries, questions or concerns.

Teacher/Teaching assistant available on the classroom door each day.

The teachers or teaching assistants are always available for messages or a quick question at drop off and pick up. Longer meetings are available on request.

Learning Mentor

Mrs Sturmey is on the playground every afternoon to talk to parents and children.

Nurture groups

School operates two nurture groups that are led by Miss Thornhill. There is a clear criterion agreed by the Senior Leadership Team in identifying children to be supported in the appropriate nurture group.

Early Help Assessment and Support Plans

Referral to Strengthening Families

An Early Help Assessment is a way of working with children and young people. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs and what is working well in your child’s life and your family life. This is reviewed and sent into Strengthening Families to see if an allocated worker is needed to support you in the home. This is a voluntary process.

Referral to School Nursing (Healthy Child Programme)

Referrals to the school nurse can be made around the following concerns: physical, emotional, developmental, sleep, behaviour, feeding/weaning, accident prevention, bed wetting, diet, weight and communication.

Referral to BeeU (previously CAMHS)

School can refer to BeeU if there are high-level concerns around anxiety, or for a diagnosis for Autism or ADHD.

Signposting to Beam

Beam is an emotional health and wellbeing drop-in service for young people under 25 years old who are registered with a GP in Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin.

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/well-being/services/beam-shropshire-telford-wrekin

Signposting and/or referral to PODS (Parents Opening Doors)

PODS are a parent support group for parents with children with additional needs. They provide advice, someone to talk to and hold regular workshops.

https://www.podstelford.org/

Signposting to Kooth

An online mental wellbeing community for children 11+

https://www.kooth.com/

Signposting to SENDIASS

Support for Parents/Carers of children with additional needs.

https://www.telfordsendiass.org.uk/

Referral to PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support)

PEGS are an organisation specifically founded to support parents, carers and guardians who are experiencing domestic abuse at the hands of their own children.

https://irp.cdn-website.com/fa6ebd65/files/uploaded/PEGS%20Referrals.pdf

Referral to Incredible Years

An evidence-based parenting programme in which parents learn to break negative parent-child interaction cycles.

Mental Health Support

Mrs Harvey has the Level 4 Mental Health Lead Qualification and Mrs Sturmey is Mental Health First Aider. They discuss children of concern regularly and plan interventions to support. If you have any concerns as a parent them please speak with a member of staff.

Referral to Young Carers

Practical and emotional support for children who may be a Young Carer. Young carers may have to deal with a range of illnesses with the person they care for, such as disability, chronic illness, mental health difficulties or problems with drugs or alcohol misuse.

https://www.telfordcarers.org.uk/young-carers

Attendance Support

Mrs Butler and Mrs Harvey meet regularly to discuss attendance and support identified families. Please refer to out attendance page for further information.

Parent workshops

A range of workshops are arranged throughout the year for parents to access.

Winter coat and shoes scheme

Telford Crisis Support (TCS) Winter Coats and Shoes Project, funded by Telford & Wrekin Council provide coats and shoes over the winter months. School can make a referral for children who need these.

Early help assessment

What is an Early Help Assessment?

An Early Help Assessment is a way of working with children and young people. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs and what is working well in your child’s life and your family life. This is reviewed and if needed sent into Strengthening Families to see if an allocated worker is needed to support you in the home. This is a voluntary process.

How does it work?

With agreement, a member of the senior leadership team or the learning mentor from school will ask you some questions to find out what help and support your child might need. They will also talk to the child about their view. This information is recorded on a form as you talk to the member of staff.

How will the Early Help Assessment help my family?

The Early Help Assessment (EHA) exists to help you support your child. It can lead to a quick solution or help to identify extra support if needed. The EHA will ensure that everyone involved in your child – such as teachers and health visitors – work together to support your child. The EHA will help your child receive the right support at an early stage before their needs increase.

What happens next?

Based on the information you and your child provide all agencies can support your child will work together to provide the support that your child and family needs. The information that you and your family provide will only be shared with the people who need to know and only with your agreement.