Early Help
Early Help at St Chad's Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
At St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to supporting our children and their families by providing early help when concerns or challenges arise. Early Help means taking action to support a child, young person, or their family as soon as an issue emerges, helping to prevent problems from escalating.
What is Early Help?
Early Help applies to any problem or need that a family cannot manage alone. This support can be required at any stage of a child’s life, from pre-birth to adulthood. Our goal is to ensure that children and families receive the right support, at the right time, from the right people.
Early Help involves agencies working together as soon as a concern is identified to provide appropriate interventions. The aim is to reduce the need for specialist intervention unless absolutely necessary.
How Early Help Works
Early Help can address a wide range of needs, from simple guidance and advice to responding to more complex circumstances. This can include:
- Providing information and signposting to relevant services.
- Helping families access support networks within the community.
- Coordinating professional support where required.
- Responding promptly if a child is at immediate risk of harm.
The Early Help Handbook – Birmingham
Birmingham’s Early Help Handbook is a guide for professionals working with children, young people, and families. It provides detailed information on how to access services and support. Click here to access the handbook.
Support Available at St Chad’s
We work closely with parents, carers, and community support services to ensure the best outcomes for our children. Our Early Help support includes:
- Working with outside agencies and family support services.
- Providing direct support in school.
- Signposting families to external agencies when needed.
- Pastoral care and emotional wellbeing support.
- Practical helpwith routines, parenting challenges, and financial concerns.
For support, advice, or guidance, please contact our Early Help team:
- Mr Lewis, Mrs Wheatley, in school.
- Email: [enquiry@st-chads.bham.sch.uk]
- You can also request to speak with Nagina(Father Hudson’s Family Support Worker) who is available on Wednesdays.
What We Offer
- Morning greetings by senior leadership, pastoral staff, and class teachers.
- Breakfast club from 8:00-8:30 am for a calm start to the day.
- Visual timetables and structured routines.
- Quiet spaces for reflection and relaxation.
- A broad and balanced curriculum with enriching after-school activities.
- Individualised teaching to meet diverse learning needs.
- Safe spaces where children’s voices are valued.
- Coffee mornings and workshops.
Common Concerns We Can Help With
We support families facing a range of challenges, including:
- Parenting support (boundaries, routines, toilet training, managing screen time, etc.)
- Domestic abuse and safeguarding concerns.
- Mental health support for children and parents.
- Housing issues and financial worries.
- Bereavement and loss.
- Online safety and cyberbullying.
How Families Are Supported
Support is provided through an Early Help Assessment (EHA), which allows us to identify specific needs and coordinate appropriate interventions. Families can request support independently or with school assistance. Early Help Assessment
Our team will:
- Meet informally with parents and children.
- Complete an EarlyHelp Assessment if needed.
- Collaborate with external professionals for tailored support.
- Arrange review meetings and ongoing support.
Useful Contacts for Families
For additional support, families can access these services:
Mental Health Support
- Kooth: Online mental health support – www.kooth.com
- Childline: 0800 1111 – www.childline.org.uk
- Samaritans: 116 123 – www.samaritans.org
- Mind: 0300 123 3393 – www.mind.org.uk
- Young Minds: 0808 802 5544 – www.youngminds.org.uk
- The Mix: 0808 808 4994 – Support for young people 13-25
- NSPCC 0207 825 2505 www.nspcc.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Support
- Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- British Women’s Aid: www.bswaid.org
- Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Financial & Housing Support
- Citizens Advice: 03444 77 1010 – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Birmingham City Council Housing: Birmingham Council Housing
For more information on Early Help in Birmingham, visit:
- Birmingham Children’s Partnership: Resources: EarlyHelp self-referral information
At St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help or guidance.
