Early Help Offer

At Longford CofE Primary School, we understand that from time-to-time family life can have its complications and sometimes families may need some extra help. To support and advise you at such times we have an Early Help Offer. 

We believe that by working together we can better support children and families. Sometimes, families need support from a wide range of agencies or people, for example: health services, housing services, family support workers, social workers and local police. 

As a school, we may be able to signpost a range of services to support families beyond the educational setting. 

Early Help services aim to both provide advice and/or intervene where there is evidence of emerging needs, with the objective of preventing escalation to higher level services. 

As a school, we aim to identify support early on and to make sure that appropriate plans are in put in place. This will require families to work with school staff and other agencies if needed. We will also use any existing interventions that are already in place in school. 

If you have any questions or would just like to have a chat, please contact us: 

01335 330364 or [email protected]

What support do we offer? 

Jayne Doherty is our Family Liaison Worker and she is able to carry out Early Help Assessments at our school (EHA).  

Jayne is able to support and work with children 1:1 on self-esteem, anger and anxiety and she can also support groups of children on listening skills and behaviour.  

Jayne is available to contact at [email protected]

We can offer advice on a range of concerns or we can signpost parents/carers to other sources of information, help and support.   

What sort of concerns might parents share with us? 

A wide range of issues such as: boundary setting, domestic abuse, mental health issues, housing concerns, financial worries and debts, morning routines, toilet training, managing screen time, bereavement and loss, cyber bullying - in fact, any concerns which you are worried about and that might be having a negative impact on your child. 

How will we know when Early Help is needed? 

Parents, carers, children and staff may tell us that support is required or practitioners may identify that there are emerging needs and services might be required, as there are concerns about a child. 

We will assess the needs and this may identify that an Early Help Assessment is needed and the subsequent action that needs to be taken. 

Requests for early help can be made face to face, via the school office or by contacting the headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Elise Piper-Hadfield, via email: [email protected] 

Early Help Support team: 

Valuing safeguarding training at all levels 

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Elise Piper) and Deputy Safeguarding Leads (Julie Bates & Natalie Clarke), undergo specialist training every two years, with refresher training and updates throughout the year. All other staff members receive annual refresher training at the start of the new school year with updates and refresher training throughout the yea. New staff cover safeguarding training as part of their induction. 

Starting Point 

If you are concerned that a child is suffering or at risk of significant harm, please contact Call Derbyshire: 01629 533190  

Useful links for advice and support:

Safeguarding: https://www.ddscp.org.uk/ 

Mental Health: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/nhs-voluntary-charity-services/nhs-services/children-young-people-mental-health-services-cypmhs/ 

Emotional Support: https://derbyandderbyshireemotionalhealthandwellbeing.uk/ 

Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/ 

Anti-Bullying: https://www.kidscape.org.uk/ 

Online Safety: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre 

Domestic Abuse:  https://www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk/what-we-do/domestic-abuse/domestic-abuse.aspx 

Alcohol & Drugs Support: https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/