1. What is Early Help?
The purpose of early help is to prevent issues and problems becoming serious and harmful to a child or young person, their family and community. When children and families need this extra support, they often need it quickly. Provision of early help support can be at all stages of a child’s life: pre-birth, during pregnancy, childhood or adolescence.

2. What does Early Help include?
Support for pupils which includes:

• Promoting good attendance and punctuality.
• Promoting self-esteem and confidence.
• Promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning.
• Providing individualised support.

Support for families which includes:

• Providing information and signposting to other services in the local area.
• Liaising with a range of external services such as housing and Family Support Workers.
• Assistance in completing paperwork and forms e.g. housing, foodbank vouchers, attendance and support at school and other agency meetings.
• Advice and support in promoting positive behaviour at home.
• Guidance with career and personal development and access to training and workshops in school.

3. Who provides Early Help support in school?

The answer is any member of staff: usually, the class teacher in the first instance, as they have most contact with the children.

All staff receive safeguarding training to ensure that the advice given is in the best interests of keeping children safe. The school telephone number is 01453 842197. Please call if you would like us to refer you for ‘Early Help’. We will support you through this process to help when times are challenging.

Our Safeguarding Team are:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Wendy Collins

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Julie Pearcey

Safeguarding Governor Marliyn Basketter

Useful Contacts:

The Keepers Kingswood are able to offer support and signpost to different organisations that can help families and individuals in challenging times.

The Keepers in Kingswood — The Keepers Wotton Area Community Hub

Gloucester Safeguarding Children Partnership

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp

Gloucestershire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/childrens-social-work-csw-jobs/our-roles-and-teams/our-teams/multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-mash/ 

Glosfamilies is an online directory bringing together information, services, resources, and things to do in Gloucestershire

Glosfamilies Directory

Support for families experiencing mental health challenges can be found at:

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA)

Charlie Waller Trust | Mental Health Charity