What does EH mean in UNCLASSIFIED

Early Help is a system for providing extra family support and services to children, young people and their families. This service provides specialized help through multi-agency partnerships, which aim to provide the best outcomes for children and young people with additional family support needs.

Early Help services are provided through a partnership of local authorities, health care organisations, schools and other voluntary children’s organisations.

The main benefit of using an Early Help service is that it can prevent difficulties escalating into more serious problems later in life. Early intervention also helps to reduce any associated costs that may be incurred by tackling these problems after they have become entrenched. In addition, these services offer tailored and specialist help to meet individual needs as soon as possible; giving families the best chance of long-term success.

If you think your child or family could benefit from an Early Help service, contact your doctor or school to find out about what support is available in your area. You can also contact your local authority directly for more information on how you can access this type of support.

Accessing an early help service usually does not incur any charges but some specific interventions may require a fee. However there are often reduced rates and concessions available so always check before making any payments.

No – Anyone regardless of age can receive early help services if they require it.

If you feel like your child may need additional help with home or school life then talking to their teacher would be the first step towards receiving support from this type of service. Generally speaking, earlier intervention will bring better results; however this isn't always the case so make sure you ask for advice on whether Early Help is suitable in each individual circumstance.