Early Support is the central government mechanism for achieving better co-ordinated, family focussed services for young disabled children and their families. It stems from government priorities for restructuring children’s services in response to Every Child Matters and the National Service Framework for children. Its approach and principles-and ways of working are now becoming standard features of support for families across the country.
In Waltham Forest we have developed a multidisciplinary assessment and support pathway around the Early Support principles and materials. The work involved partners across the NHS, Social Services and Extended Services. Early Support uses the Team Around the Child (TAC) approach, multi-disciplinary assessments and reviews and a keyworker service has been implemented to provide support to families.
The objectives we seek to meet through this way of working are:
- A reduction in the repeated history-telling by families.
- To ensure that all services provided for families with young disabled children are well coordinated and responsive to their needs.
- To have a clear focus on what families need- with direct parental involvement.
- Improved information sharing with other agencies.
- Periodic, multi-agency reviews.
- Better opportunities for supporting families, providing information and involving other agencies.
At present requests for an Early Support approach may come from professionals or parents via Specialist Children’s Services at the Wood Street Health Centre. Following the pilot Early Support is now becoming a standard feature of support for families with a young (0-5) disabled child. Waltham Forest’s Children’s Centre’s are also expected to use the Early Support approach and materials to deliver quality services.
For more information call the Early Support Co-ordinator on 020 8430 7909 / 07971 071034
Contact us
Early Support Programme
Specialist Children's Service
The Wood Street Health Centre
6 Linford Road
Walthamstow E17 3LA
Tel 020 8430 7909.
