How do we respond when needs are identified?
We respond to needs in four ways:
- Encourage and support parents to access services on their own, making use of the Families Information Service.
- A single service response when an additional need is identified that the family cannot deal with or meet on their own. Following Principle 1 of Early Help, parents can be supported to ‘self-serve’ and get direct support to develop their skills, knowledge and personal resilience.
- An Early Help assessment and team around the family/ child (TAF / TAC) response at times when multiple or complex needs are identified, with the help of a Lead Practitioner to co-ordinate a multi-service response.
- Planned and targeted response in advance for groups of children who are vulnerable by circumstance or environment to address inequality and promote better outcomes. For example, a child with a special educational need or disability (SEND); children from a minority or different ethnic background (BME); or children living in poverty.
The one front door online form can be used for Early Help enquiries, or to report a concern about a child. The form is responded to in two ways, shown in this diagram:
In Doncaster, the ‘Continuum of Need and Response’ and ‘Thresholds Guidance’ helps those working with children, young people and families to identify the level of support they need.
