All families need help from time to time, Early Help is a way of getting extra help and support when your family needs it, as soon as difficulties start, rather than waiting until things get worse. It’s for children and young people of any age and their family. Help can come from all kinds of services and organisations who work together to support your family. You might be using some of these services already, but we want to make sure they are providing the right support for you and your family’s needs.
Why would I seek early help?
It could be that you’re worried about your child’s health, development or behaviour, or perhaps because you are caring for a disabled child. Maybe you, your child or your whole family are affected by relationships within the family, drugs or alcohol or you are experiencing personal distress or anxiety, financial or housing problems. By getting help from the right services at the right time, and as early as possible, we can help prevent or reduce potential problems for children as they grow up. Our leaflet in the resources box on the right hand side of this page explains more about the help available to you and so does our video above.
We work together with you whenever you need our support, and we don’t judge. There is a huge range of services around Doncaster but it’s not always obvious which ones are available to you or how to find them. While every family is different, the way we work is really straightforward. When you start the Early Help process, you’re on the path to getting support with any problem you might be facing. Early Help is available at any point in a child’s life, from pregnancy through to adolescence (and up to age 24 for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
Who do I ask?
- Chat with a teacher, health professional or support worker, they can arrange help for you
- Pop into your Family Hub -they can provide support or arrange Early Help for you
- Phone or pop into one of the Your Family Triage's, they can provide you with Local Help or arrange Early Help for you
Doncaster Family Hubs are the 'place to go'. We work with other providers to offer a range of activities, services and information for you and your family. Families are welcome with children of all ages from conception, through childhood to adolescence and even older if your child has a special need.
Think of any service you may need from day care and early learning to schools and education; from midwives to health visitors and mental health; from advice on parenting to family support and adult learning to employment opportunities.
Central: Central, Balby, Wheatley, Cantley, Bessacarr, Intake, Belle Vue
East: Armthorpe, Stainforth, Moorends, Dunscroft, Hatfield, Barnby Dun, Edenthorpe, Kirk Sandall, Thorne
South: Conisbrough, Denaby, Rossington, Mexborough, Edlington, Finningley, Torne Valley
North: Bentley, Adwick, Askern, Carcroft, Highfields, Scawsby, Sprotbrough
https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/schools/family-hubs-and-services
Your Family Triages are for Families and residents who may need advice and guidance or additional help from services in the community such as health, St Leger Homes, Police and many more who all work together on issues in your community. The teams know and understand the communities they work in. The teams work well together to support families with swift action when families, residents, or professionals have asked for help. Staff will have conversations with families, other professionals, and the Your Place team to ensure their response meets local needs and expectations. Your Place teams will respond without delay to identify the best way to provide an appropriate solution. This will happen quickly, with clear communication and without the need for assessment or formal pathways.
Central: Civic Office,Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU, 01302 736409,
LocalSolutionCentral@doncaster.gov.uk
East: TheVermuyden Centre,Fieldside,Thorne, DN8 1DA,
LocalSolutionNorth@doncaster.gov.uk
South: Conisbrough Community Library, Old Road,Conisbrough, DN12 3ND,
LocalSolutionSouth@doncaster.gov.uk
North: Woodlands Library, Windmill Balk Lane, Woodlands, DN6 7SB,
LocalSolutionNorth@doncaster.gov.uk
Self-help from online services can be useful for some families:
Family's Information Service:
Families Information Service provides information, advice and guidance for parents, carers, practitioners, children and young people on a wide range of services and activities/events available in Doncaster and beyond.
https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/schools/families-information-service-fis
Your Life Doncaster:
Find information and support for adults, young people and children to live happy, healthy lives, and discover what is available in your local communities.
https://www.yourlifedoncaster.co.uk/