Early Help Offer – Elmley Castle CE First School

“Let Your Light Shine”

At Elmley Castle CE First School, we believe every child and family deserves support at the earliest opportunity so that they can flourish, overcome challenges, and truly let their light shine.

Early Help is the support we offer when a child or family first begins to experience difficulties, whether they relate to health, behaviour, wellbeing, relationships, or family life. Early help can be provided at any point—from the early years to prevent worries from becoming bigger problems.

What Early Help Means at Our School

Early Help aims to improve outcomes for our children and families by providing timely, effective support. We work in partnership with families, school staff, local services, and community organisations.

We can support families experiencing challenges such as:

• Difficulties with routines, boundaries, or healthy lifestyles
• SEND needs, disability, or young carer responsibilities
• Emotional wellbeing concerns or not wanting to attend school
• Family conflict, substance misuse, domestic difficulties, or mental health issues
• Risks around exploitation, criminal involvement, or going missing from home
• Online safety concerns, bullying, or friendship difficulties
   

Support Available in School

We provide a range of pastoral and practical support, including:

• Our on-site Thrive Practitioner (Mrs Jones)
• Our school Family Support Worker (Miss Gamble)
• Mental Health Lead Mrs Harbron
• Access to support with attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, counselling and THRIVE
• Support from an external charity mentor offering targeted guidance
• Regular DSL meetings and reporting to Governors to ensure strong safeguarding oversight
   

Working With Local Services

We work alongside key local partners to create a joined-up early help network, including:

• Starting Well Partnership – health visitors, family hubs, parenting support
• School Health Nursing Team – health advice, home visits, wellbeing support
• Community organisations such as John Martin’s Charity, Caring Hands, Rooftop Housing
• Mental health & wellbeing services – CAMHS, Kooth, Reach4Wellbeing, Healthy Minds
• SEND support services, Early Help Family Support, Young Carers.

How Families Can Access Early Help

You can access support by:

• Speaking to any member of staff you trust
• Contacting the school office to speak with the DSL or Family Support Worker
• Asking for help if you are uncertain—there is no problem too small

Everyone needs help at times. We are here to work together with you to support your child emotionally, academically, and socially so they can shine brightly.