Early help means support is provided as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.

At St. Alban’s, we encourage staff to report concerns as soon as they become aware that a child or family may need additional support rather than wait until a situation escalates.

We also encourage families to raise the challenges they face with us. We aim to offer support to families in a supportive, collaborative way. Parental consent is sought before beginning any Early Help work.

Early Help support can take many forms, and could include advice, regular meetings, support in school, or referral to other agencies (with parental permission), such as a family worker, mental health support, paediatric referrals, and many more.

 Early Help support is accessed through completing an Early Help Assessment (EHA) with the family’s consent. The Early Help Assessment process helps to identify additional support and coordinate the support around the family to ensure they receive the right help at the right time.

If you have any concerns you would like to raise or you would like support with accessing a service, please speak to your child’s class teacher, Mr Wright or Mr McCrossan.

Below are some helpful links to various services available in Cambridgeshire who may also be able to offer you support. If you are accessing support from any of these services, we would encourage you to share this with the school.

Further information on the Early Help team: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/accessing-support-for-your-family

Information on Cambridgeshire’s local offer for children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/local-offer/about-cambridgeshire-s-local-offer

Information on available support for domestic or sexual abuse: https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/web

Information on applying for Pupil Premium funding and Free School Meals: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/help-with-school-learning-costs/pupil-premium

Information on school holiday food support: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/cambridgeshire-holiday-activities-and-food-haf-programme-2022

Help with managing your child’s behaviour, including free parenting courses: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/help-with-a-child-s-behaviour

Support with your child’s mental health and wellbeing: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/younited/