Early help assessment and plan
The Early Help Assessment and Plan is the common process for supporting children, young people and families with additional needs through early identification of problems, swift intervention and a planned, co-ordinated response.
The aim is to consider the needs of the child or young person in three key areas:
- The development of the child or young person, including health and well being
- Parenting and caring
- Family and community
The intention is for all children, irrespective of their circumstances, to have the best start in life, to grow up safe, stable and healthy, to fulfil their potential and make a contribution to their community.
The Early Help Assessment and Plan is part one of a single assessment process that aims to empower parents and provide a timely, seamless service if needs escalate.
How does the process work?
The practitioner who identifies a child’s needs gains consent from the young person, parent or carer to undertake an assessment, following which he or she coordinates an Early Help Assessment and Plan and, if appropriate, initiates a Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting.
The purpose of the TAF meeting is to bring together practitioners with the appropriate skills to meet the identified needs of the child and develop a support plan.
The parents and practitioners concerned will agree the most appropriate person to undertake the Lead Professional role. Actions will be identified and regular reviews undertaken, with the focus on a child-centred approach, positive engagement with the family, increased community involvement and collaboration between agencies.
Statutory needs assessment and the education, health and care plan
The Early Help Assessment and Plan should be used by early years settings, schools and colleges as part of the graduated response to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND to record, monitor and evaluate provision, intervention and progress against outcomes set.
This can then be used as a basis and evidence for statutory assessment for an EHC Plan if this is required in the future.
- Early help assessment and plan April 2022 (Word document)
- Early help review April 2022 (Word document)
- YEW early help assessment (PDF)
- Early help assessment guidance (PDF)
- Child's voice
Useful resources
- Identifying special educational needs
- Education, health and care plan
- Health assessment
- Short breaks
- DfE guide for parents
- Swindon good practice guide (Word document)
Our continued commitment to the improvement of the current early help model is laid out in the following strategy document:
