Family Support and Early Help
Getting the Right Help at the Right Time
At Grampian Primary School, we believe that children achieve their best when they feel safe, supported and able to thrive both at home and at school.
Sometimes families face challenges that can affect a child's wellbeing, development or educational experience. Family Support and Early Help are designed to ensure that families receive support as soon as difficulties emerge, helping to prevent concerns from escalating.
Seeking support is a positive step, and families do not need to reach crisis point before asking for help.
What is Early Help?
Early Help is the support offered to children, young people and families when challenges first begin to emerge.
It is a way of identifying needs early and bringing together the right people and services to provide support before concerns become more serious.
Early Help is based on a simple principle:
The right help at the right time can make a significant difference to children's lives.
Support is voluntary and works best when children, families and professionals work together.
What is Family Help?
Family Help brings together professionals and services to support families with a wide range of needs.
The aim is to build on family strengths, improve outcomes for children and reduce the need for more intensive interventions later.
Family Help may involve support from:
- Schools
- Health professionals
- Early Help practitioners
- Children's Services
- Community organisations
- Family support workers
- SEND services
- Mental health services
When Might Families Benefit from Support?
Families may seek support for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Changes in family circumstances
- Emotional wellbeing concerns
- Anxiety or low mood
- Behavioural concerns
- Attendance difficulties
- Parenting challenges
- Housing or financial difficulties
- Bereavement or loss
- Friendship or relationship concerns
- SEND-related support needs
Every family is different and support is tailored to individual circumstances.
Working Together
At Grampian, we recognise that parents and carers are the experts on their children.
When support is needed, we work in partnership with families to understand strengths, identify needs and help access appropriate support.
Where appropriate, we can help families connect with services and professionals who may be able to offer additional advice, guidance or intervention.
Need Support?
If you are worried about your child, your family's circumstances, or feel that additional support may be helpful, please speak to a member of our Safeguarding or Inclusion Team.
You do not need to wait for concerns to become serious before asking for help.
