Early Help Assessment

The assessment process

1. Unmet need identified that cannot be met by a single agency.
2. Check to see if there is an Early Help Assessment (EHA) already in place - if there is one, an Early Help Officer will give you the name of the current co-ordinator, who will informed them of the TAF process.
3. If there is no Early Help Assessment in place, discuss an Early Help Assessment with child, young person and parents to request consent.
4. Consent given - start the Early Help Assessment process with the parents, child or young person.
5. Initiating agency to complete as much as possible or appropriate for that agency and register the Early Help Assessment with the Early Help Team (Online EHA Registration Form is on the Cumbria CSCP website)
6. Set up the TAF process including all appropriate agencies with the family. Complete parts of the Early Help Assessment relevant to agencies in attendance at the TAF.
7. TAF reviews continue, update and review the plan evidencing progression to the well being and success goal for the child. If progress is slow or stuck consider referral to the Early Help and Family Support Panel cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/earlyhelp.asp
8. Close the Early Help Assessment when all needs are met or other reasons for closure are identified or follow the ‘Step Up’ procedure. All closures need to be closed using the Online Early Help Closure Form.

If at any time from initiating the agency or during TAF review the coordinator changes, the current coordinator completes the Online Early Help Change of Coordinator Form.

If an EHA closes but at a later date additional unmet needs are identified, either update original assessment or begin a new assessment and register the assessment.

An Early Help Assessment is a voluntary process and therefore parents - and children where appropriate - should be fully engaged in the process. Consent must be given.

Find out if there's an assessment registered to the family already

You can:

• contact a member of the Early Help team
• email: early.help@cumbria.gov.uk

Early Help Assessment Forms - Cumberland

Online EHA registration form

Online Early Help change of coordinator form

Online Early Help closure form

Feedback from Families in Cumberland

At the last Team Around the Family meeting, when it is agreed the Early Help Assessment can be closed, please ask family members to complete the feedback form accessed from this QR code. 

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Early Help Assessment Forms - Westmorland and Furness

Online EHA Registration Form

Online Early Help Change of Coordinator Form

Online Early Help Closure Form

Feedback from Families in Westmorland and Furness

At the last Team Around the Family meeting, when it is agreed the Early Help Assessment can be closed, please ask family members to complete the feedback form accessed from this QR code. 

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Team Around the Family Meeting

The purpose of the Team Around the Family meeting (TAF) is to share information and to create a solution focussed plan that will support the needs of the child.

Initially in the meeting there may just be you, family member(s) and one other agency. The TAF may then identify other members.

Parent’s involvement should always be encouraged. However if a young person requests an Early Help Assessment and does not want parents involved they can give consent themselves following the Fraser Competence guidelines (this should be clearly recorded as having been considered). The Assessment cannot proceed without either the Parent or Young Person consenting.

How often the meetings happen

It will differ depending upon the complexities of the situation. Initially it will be more frequent but should be six weekly - or in some circumstances termly.

If parents don't engage in the process

Encourage engagement over a period of time - if necessary via another trusted partner agency known to the family. Assess the impact of no improved levels of support for this Child or Young person. If you feel that their circumstances are or will deteriorate discuss with your line manager or designated safeguarding lead or contact an Early Help Officer

Always check why they do not want to proceed as it may be constructive feedback to change the approach or change coordinator.

Sharing Information

The parents carers or young people will have given consent for information to be shared with identified professionals initially listed. As other professionals become involved further consent needs to be sought and the form updated.

Submitting a different Assessment to ours

Of you have one of a list of other assessments that include the key components Assessment, TAF, Review, Parental consent then this can be considered for registration. 

Check the Early Help Strategy for the list of agreed assessments.