Our Early Help Offer

Early Help Lead: Mrs Jenny Gascoigne

“There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few we can solve by ourselves.”

What is Early Help?

Early Help means working in partnership with families to improve outcomes for children. By offering timely support when challenges arise, we can make a real difference. Identifying and addressing needs early increases protective factors that support a child’s wellbeing, while reducing risks that may affect them negatively.

A Home Visit for Every Child

We believe the first meeting with a teacher or key person should happen where children and parents feel safe and comfortable — at home. This helps children feel at ease, while giving parents the chance to begin building positive relationships with staff. These relationships make it easier for families to seek support when they need it.

Health Visitor Support

Our nursery regularly welcomes a Health Visitor from the School Readiness service. They can:

• Offer advice on toilet training, behaviour, sleep routines, fussy eating, and dental health

• Signpost families to useful resources

• Make referrals to other services quickly, ensuring children receive the right support at the right time

SEND Workshops and Coffee Mornings

Our SEND Lead hosts regular coffee mornings where parents can:

• Talk about their child’s needs

• Learn about the local SEND offer

• Share experiences with other parents

Mental Health Support

We are supported by an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) who works closely with our school Mental Health Lead. The EMHP visits weekly to:

• Discuss referrals

• Meet with parents

• Provide advice and guidance

We are also part of Future in Mind, which gives schools in Telford access to training so staff can better support children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Working with Other Professionals

We collaborate with a range of professionals, including the Educational Psychology Service, to offer solution-focused support for children and families in crisis.

Attendance Monitoring

Low attendance is often an early sign that families may need help. We monitor attendance weekly and, where needed, our Attendance Team and Education Welfare Officer (EWO) work with families to provide support and guidance.

Weekly Newsletter & Signposting

Our weekly newsletter shares advice and links to local support services such as:

• Telford’s Uniform Project

• Holy Trinity Church Food Bank

• ERIC Bowel and Bladder Charity
• PODs

Supporting Disadvantaged Families

From the moment children start at nursery or school, we identify families on a low income to ensure they receive the right support as early as possible.