The Early Help Service is a multi-disciplinary service which offers swift and easy access to early help for families where there are children or young people (0-25) with special needs. The purpose of this service is to intervene early in order to prevent difficulties becoming significant long-term problems.
The service also includes Aspirational Lambeth Families which is part of the National Troubled Families Programme supporting whole families who have a wide range of needs including
Parents or children involved in crime or ant-social behaviour
Children who have not been attending school regularly
Children who need help : children of all ages, who need help, are identified as in need or are subject to a Child Protection Plan.
Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion or young people at risk of worklessness.
Families affected by domestic violence and abuse
Parents or children with a range of health problems
The service aims to overcome these difficulties by working with the whole family intensively supporting them to overcome the difficulties and make changes.
In order to meet these needs the Early Help teams include Early Intervention Social Workers and Early Help Practitioners, NEET advisers, Educational Welfare Team, Employment Advisers and a linked Early Intervention CAMHS Team.
The service consists of area based teams working with children, young people and their families from the age of 0 (or in the antenatal period where need is identified) to 19, and to 24 where the child or young person has a disability. There are a number of ways for children and young people to access the service through CAF/ Early Help Assessments at school or in Children's Centres, referrals from other agencies in the community; through the MASH front door in Children's Services; and through the established 'step down' process from social care.
WHAT DOES THE EARLY HELP SERVICE DO?
Once a referral is received by the service if appropriate the service will offer a range of support including
Work directly with the whole families to offer support
Signpost the family you to get support from other services or specialist support
Work in partnership with other agencies to ensure that there is a joined up approach to help for the family by reducing duplication
WHO CAN CONTACT EARLY HELP ?
Referrals usually come directly from the agencies working with the family, but sometimes families may wish to request assistance directly. Agencies will use the CAF Common Assessment with the family to identify the needs and access the service.
For more information contact Michelle Burrell on 0207 926 9604, email MBurrell@lambeth.gov.uk or Latifa Shaibu on 0207926 9022, email LShaibu@lambeth.gov.uk.

International House,
Canterbury Crescent,
London,SW9 7QE

0207 926 9604

Information currently not available

Available from 12/10/2016

Up to 25 years