Leehurst Swan School
Aligned with Wiltshire Council Safeguarding Protocols

Purpose of Early Help

At Leehurst Swan School, we are committed to identifying and addressing the needs of children and families early to provide timely support and prevent problems from escalating. Early Help is integral to our safeguarding ethos and ensures children have access to the right support at the right time, fostering their safety, well-being, and development.

Definition of Early Help

Early Help refers to providing support as soon as a need emerges, at any stage in a child's life, from the foundation years through to teenage years (KCSiE 2024). Early intervention can address issues in a child’s educational, emotional, or physical development before they worsen.

Criteria for Early Help

Children may qualify for Early Help if they meet one or more of the following criteria, as identified in Wiltshire Council Safeguarding Protocols:

  1. Family Circumstances:
    • Experiencing domestic abuse.
    • Parental substance misuse or mental health concerns.
    • Housing instability or financial hardship.
  2. Educational Indicators:
    • Persistent absenteeism or lateness.
    • Struggling to meet academic expectations.
    • Exhibiting signs of learning difficulties.
  3. Health and Development:
    • Physical or mental health needs, including self-harm or eating disorders.
    • Developmental delays or disabilities.
    • Lack of access to appropriate healthcare.
  4. Emotional and Social Well-Being:
    • Displaying signs of anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
    • Involvement in risky or anti-social behaviour.
    • Peer or social relationship difficulties, including bullying or isolation.
  5. Safeguarding Concerns:
    • Signs of neglect or abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, or exploitation).
    • Known involvement with social services or previous Child in Need plans.

What Leehurst Swan School Offers

At Leehurst Swan, all staff should be prepared to identify children who may benefit from early help.  We provide a range of interventions and support mechanisms to meet the needs of children qualifying for early help:

  1. Pastoral Care:
    • Dedicated pastoral staff who monitor and support children’s emotional and social well-being.
    • Regular check-ins with a trusted adult for identified children.
  2. Educational Support:
    • Tailored learning plans in collaboration with the SENCO.
    • Small-group interventions for literacy, numeracy, or social skills.
    • Mentoring and peer support schemes.
  3. Health and Well-Being:
    • Access to school-based ELSA.
    • Workshops on mental health, resilience, and well-being.
    • Support for managing chronic medical conditions in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers.
  4. Family Engagement:
    • Regular communication with parents to understand and address family needs.
    • Signposting to external services, such as counselling, parenting programs or financial advice.
  5. Safeguarding Response:
    • Early referrals to Wiltshire’s Integrated Front Door (IFD) / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) where additional support is needed.
    • Collaboration with external agencies, including CAMHS, educational psychologists, and social services.
  6. Access to External Resources:
    • Support from Wiltshire’s Right Choice platform for tailored training and resources.
    • Use of Early Help Assessment (EHA) to formalise and structure multi-agency support plans.

Staff Training and Awareness

All staff should be aware of their local early help process and understand their role in it.  To ensure all staff can identify when and how children qualify for Early Help:

  1. Annual Safeguarding Training:
    • All staff receive training on recognizing signs of need and vulnerability, aligned with Wiltshire’s Thresholds for Safeguarding Children Guidance.
  2. Guidance Documents:
    • Staff are provided with quick-reference guides, including the Wiltshire Early Help Flowchart, to support decision-making.
  3. Clear Reporting Protocols:
    • Staff must report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL promptly.
    • The DSL will determine if the Early Help pathway should be initiated and inform relevant staff and parents/carers as appropriate.
  4. Case Studies and Workshops:
    • Regular workshops and discussions to enhance understanding of Early Help triggers and processes.

Implementation and Monitoring

  • The DSL will oversee all Early Help interventions and maintain records of referrals and outcomes.
  • Staff will participate in regular reviews of Early Help cases during safeguarding team meetings.
  • The effectiveness of Early Help provision will be reviewed annually and adjusted based on feedback from children, families, and staff.

Conclusion

Leehurst Swan School’s commitment to Early Help ensures that children and their families are supported holistically, enabling them to overcome challenges and thrive in their education and personal lives. Any child may benefit from early help, but all school staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who meet the criteria, as identified in Wiltshire Council Safeguarding Protocols.  This proactive approach underscores our dedication to safeguarding and the well-being of our school community.

Updated: January 2025