Early Help

Early Help means providing support to our families as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child's life.

Family life can be complicated and every family can have ups and downs. It's hard work being a parent and there is no instruction manual.

From time to time there may be situations where you or your children need some extra help and support. If things are not right at home, please come and talk to us as we can help in many ways.

We want to make sure that:

Children are happy and have good opportunities to develop skills
Children are safe at home and in the communities where they live
Children are enabled to live healthy and fulfilling lives
Children receive a good education, suited to their needs, which supports them in staying safe and achieving their potential

If you or you child/children need extra support, we might suggest an Early Help Assessment is completed to support your family. We will lead the process and be your Lead Practitioner/s.

The Early Help Assessment is a simple, easy to use form. This helps you and your Lead Practitioner think about what is working well for you and your family, if there is anything you are worried about and what extra support you think might help.

With support from other practitioners/services working with your family, together you will all think about the next steps and create an action plan. This is called a Family Plan.

Meet our Early Help Coordinator

Hello, my name is Debbie Magee. I am one of the Early Help Coordinators from Merton Council. I am excited to be working closely with Dundonald Primary School.

Every family has its ups and downs and sometimes you or your children may need extra support. My role provides guidance and support to help families build strength and resilience during challenging times, helping you find solutions to small problems before they turn into big ones.

You can arrange to meet with me at one of our family hubs or at the school. I can help support you and direct you to other services within the borough who might be able to help.

Whether you need advice or assistance, I am here to work alongside you to ensure you and your family get the support you need. If you would like to know more or would like to arrange to meet, please contact the school office on 0208 715 1188.

I look forward to working with you all!

Types of things an Early Help Assessment can support you with

An Early Help Assessment can support you:

if you're struggling to get your children to school on time
helping you with your children's behaviour and development - things like setting boundaries and routines
if you're feeling you just can't cope and it's all getting too much - so feeling overwhelmed
if any of your family is drinking a lot of alcohol or using drugs
if you are in a relationship that is making you unhappy or scared
if your family are struggling to communicate - maybe there are lots of arguments
not having a job and struggling to provide for your family
if any of your family are involved in crime or anti-social behaviour - and maybe you're at risk of losing your home.

Early Help Assessment - A Guide for Parents/Carers

How do I access support?

You can speak to any professional currently working with you or your family, for example a health worker or a teacher, if you feel you need extra support.

Families can also access support from the Family Services Directory.

You can also access information, advice and guidance from our Family Support Hubs (FISH). Family Information and Support Hubs (FISH) give you the chance to speak to an Early Help Support Coordinator about any issues that may be affecting your child/ren or family. The Early Help Support Coordinator will offer support and guidance, helping you access relevant information and services to help you. More information can be found here.

Sessions take place Monday-Friday, with a mixture of face-to-face and telephone appointments available.

Appointments can be booked via Eventbrite by clicking here.