Early Help, Wellbeing and Support
Early help and early intervention are forms of support aimed at improving outcomes for children and families or preventing escalating need or risk. Because of this, they are also sometimes referred to as prevention or preventative services.
The vision of all partner organisations working with children and families in Lancashire is to improve children’s lives by working in partnership to raise aspirations, build achievement and protect the most vulnerable.
This is based on the belief that:
- Children, young people and families develop resilience if there are protective factors in place such as: a positive relationship with an adult; good literacy and communication skills; good school attendance; and, parents in or actively seeking/ready for work
- Children’s needs are best met when help is offered in a universal setting within a socially mixed group and early on when problems start to emerge
- Children and young people’s needs are best met when addressed in the context of the whole family, meaning that parents/carers/siblings’ needs are addressed with consent as part of a holistic and integrated Early Help response
Early Help services should support and strengthen families so that they can thrive.
SEND
Park High School SEND team are available to offer early help and support where required. You can find more information and key staff by clicking the image.
There is a wealth of information and services you can access for yourself, your children and family.
School Nurse Service
Parents and carers of children aged 5-19 in our area can send a message, anonymously if they wish, to the School Nursing Team to get confidential help and advice about a range of health concerns, including health, sexual health, relationships, alcohol and drugs and bullying. This joins our ChatHealth text messaging service which is for young people aged 11-19 years.
Children and young people across Lancashire can also contact our Chat Health service by texting 07507 330 510. The service is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (except bank holidays). During these times we aim to respond to all messages within 24 hours. Find out more about Chat Health here.
Our school nurse also holds 'drop in' sessions in school, that we can direct students to also.
Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
Children and Family Wellbeing Service
You can access advice, support and family courses via Children and Family Wellbeing Service. You are able to access this independently or alternatively, school can assist with this.
The Children and Family Wellbeing Service, previously children's centres and Young People's Service, provide services to help with parenting and other support you may need.
They support families of children and young people from 0-19 years old and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 25.
Some of this will be in groups and some of this will be with individuals.
Some of the services are available to all children or families and others are for those who are in most need of support.
They offer different services across a range of locations to meet the needs of the local community, including:
- Support for individual children, young people or their families
- Health services – ranging from health visitors to breastfeeding
- Parenting advice for mums, dads and carers
- Activities and groups where your baby, toddler or child can play and learn
- A place to pick up Healthy Start vitamins and tablets
- Advice to help you to support your child’s learning from birth
- A great place to make new friends
- Connecting with the local community
- Access to specialist support for families with children with disabilities/additional needs
- Groups for expectant mums and dads
- Advice and guidance on how to keep you and your child healthy
- Sensory rooms
- Information about local childcare
- Groups for young people to attend
- Advice for young people
- Help to access adult learning opportunities
- Advice on jobs, training and benefits
- Opportunities for volunteering
For families that need extra help and support they may meet with you individually to do an assessment of your needs. This is to help us work with you to get the extra support you need.
A range of professionals may work together with us such as workers from Children's Social Care, Police, housing services, the local district council, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Adult Wellbeing Service.
Whitefield Children and Family Wellbeing Service
Maurice Street, Nelson, BB9 7HS
Tel: 01282 470277