Early Help at Dothill Primary School
At Dothill Primary School, we believe that children thrive when families feel supported, connected, and confident. Early Help is our way of working with children and families to offer the right support at the right time before worries grow or challenges become overwhelming.
Early Help is not about telling families what to do. It’s about listening, understanding, and working together to find practical solutions that make life easier and happier for everyone.
What Is Early Help?
Early Help is a voluntary support system designed to identify needs early and provide tailored assistance for children and families. It can include emotional support, behaviour guidance, routines at home, attendance support, wellbeing strategies, or help accessing external services.
Families can access Early Help for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Emotional wellbeing or mental health concerns
- Behaviour or regulation difficulties
- Changes at home
- Attendance challenges
- Friendship worries
- Parenting support
- Signposting to community services
No concern is too small. If something is affecting your child’s wellbeing, learning, or happiness, Early Help can make a positive difference.
Our Early Help Team
We are proud to have a highly skilled, compassionate team dedicated to supporting children and families.
Mrs Nikki Harvey – Early Help Lead
Deputy Headteacher
- Qualified in Mental Health Leadership
- Trained in Nurture and wellbeing approaches
- Experienced in supporting families with emotional literacy, behaviour, and safeguarding
Mrs Harvey oversees Early Help across the school and ensures families receive coordinated, thoughtful support.
Mrs Karen Sturmey – Learning Mentor
- Qualified in Mental Health First Aid
- Trained in Drawing and Talking therapeutic work
- Skilled in Sand Play and emotional regulation support
Mrs Sturmey works closely with children and families, offering 1:1 sessions, small group support, and Early Help Assessments.
Mrs Love – Pastoral HLTA
- Trained in Nurture principles
- Dedicated to making a meaningful difference to children’s wellbeing
- Provides daily pastoral support, emotional check-ins, and nurture-based interventions
Mrs Love helps create a safe, calm, and supportive environment where children feel understood and valued.
Early Help Assessments (EHA)
What is an Early Help Assessment?
An Early Help Assessment (EHA) is a structured conversation that helps families identify what is going well, what they are worried about, and what support might help. It brings everyone together family, school, and any other services, to create a clear plan.
It is voluntary, supportive, and family led.
When can I have an assessment?
You can request an Early Help Assessment at any time.
School may also suggest one if we feel it would help bring support together in a coordinated way.
Who completes the assessment?
At Dothill, Early Help Assessments are usually completed by:
- Mrs Karen Sturmey, Learning Mentor
- Mrs Nikki Harvey, Early Help Lead (when appropriate)
They will meet with you, listen carefully, and guide you through the process at a pace that feels comfortable.
Early Help: Everyone’s Responsibility at Dothill Primary School
At Dothill Primary School, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. Early Help is not just the role of one team - it is everyone’s responsibility. Every adult in school plays a part in noticing early signs of worry, offering support, and helping families access the right help at the right time.
Our approach is proactive, compassionate, and centred around strong relationships. We work together to ensure that children and families receive the level of support that best meets their needs.
