What is Early Help?
Early Help is support for children, young people and families when challenges first begin to emerge. We want to help identify problems early on and provide the right support at the right time, before difficulties become more serious. Families do not need to be in crisis to access Early Help and support can be provided for a wide range of concerns.
At St Peter's, we believe that seeking support early can make a significant difference for children and families. We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to identify strengths, understand any concerns and provide appropriate help.
Telford and Wrekin's Family Hubs are able to support with many different areas of family life - see telfordfamilyhubs.co.uk
When might Early Help be useful?
Early Help may be appropriate if you are concerned about any of the following:
- Your child's emotional wellbeing or mental health
- Attendance or punctuality
- Behaviour at home or school
- Friendships or social difficulties
- Parenting challenges
- Family relationships
- Bereavement or loss
- Housing or financial difficulties
- Special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- Sleep, toileting or health concerns
- Changes within the family that may be affecting your child
If there is something not on the list but that is affecting your family, your child or you then please seek us out. We are here to help.
How can we help?
We will always begin by listening to you and understanding your family's situation. Support can be provided directly by school and where additional support is needed, we work with other services and agencies such as telfordfamilyhubs.co.uk, to ensure your family receives the help it needs.
How do I access Early Help?
If you would like support, please speak to:
- Your child's class teacher
- Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, Mrs Fallon
- A member of the safeguarding team - Mrs Tommy, Mrs Roden, Miss Hickman or Mr Auckland
- The school office
You can also contact us online in the first instance -please fill in this form. Seeking support is a positive step and we encourage families to ask for help as early as possible.
The following services can also be contacted directly:
Family Connect
Family Connect acts as Telford & Wrekin's gateway to support services for children, young people and families. It provides advice, guidance, parenting support, SEND information, childcare information and access to Early Help. https://www.familyconnecttelford.co.uk/
Contact:
01952 385385
Family Hubs
Family Hubs provide parenting support, family support, antenatal services, SEND information, health support and advice for families across Telford and Wrekin. https://www.telfordfamilyhubs.co.uk/
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
BeeU
The service supports emotional wellbeing, mental health, autism assessments, ADHD assessments and eating disorder support. https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/camhs/camhs-shropshire-telford-and-wrekin
Telephone:
0300 124 0093
Kooth
Free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support for young people. Available through the CAMHS STW offer. https://www.kooth.com
SEND support
Telford SEND Local Offer
The council's directory of SEND services, support groups and guidance. https://www.telfordsend.org.uk
PODS (Parents Opening Doors)
Telford's parent carer forum supporting families of children with SEND. https://www.podstelford.org
Cost of living support
Food banks and emergency food support
Telford & Wrekin's dedicated page includes:
- Telford Crisis Support
- Dawley Food Bank
- Newport Food Bank
- Emergency out-of-hours food parcels
- School uniform support
- Advice on food costs and benefits
https://www.telford.gov.uk/about-my-council/cost-of-living/help-and-advice-with-food-toiletries-and-clothing/
Telford Crisis Support
https://www.telfordcrisissupport.org.uk
Provides:
- Food parcels
- School uniform support
- Baby essentials
- Family support
Health support
School Nursing Service (Healthy Child Programme) https://www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/healthy-child-service
Support with:
- Behaviour
- Sleep
- Emotional wellbeing
- Healthy lifestyles
- Toileting
- Developmental concerns
NHS Healthier Together
Excellent parent-friendly website used widely across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. https://www.stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk
Domestic abuse support
West Mercia Women's Aid https://www.westmerciawomensaid.org
Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Financial support
Benefits and welfare support https://www.telford.gov.uk/benefits
Free School Meals https://www.telford.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
Housing support
Telford Housing Options https://www.telford.gov.uk/housing
Online safety
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com
CEOP https://www.ceop.police.uk
