Improving the lives of families in Worcestershire

For some families difficulties arise which, if nipped in the bud early enough can stop them escalating. If 'early help' is not offered, this can in the worst cases result in children's social and emotional development being irreparably impaired and family breakdown. Early help gives families the opportunity to regain control of their circumstances ensuring their children stay safe and achieve their full potential.

Since March 2011, Worcestershire County Council has been reviewing its focus on Early Help.  The scope of this work spanned across all of the county council's Children's Services and has involved an assessment and evaluation of the available information about the needs of the population of Worcestershire and the services currently provided.

This work has resulted in the development of Worcestershire County Council's Early Help Commissioning Strategy. The Strategy outlines the key areas for improvement and the longer term vision for Early Help services supporting families with children aged 0 to 19.  It also makes some recommendations for the future focused around a number of strands including: 

·         An integrated 0 to 19 early help service arrangement, one for each of the six district areas

·         Developing a 'virtual' children's centre

·         Providing universal access to parenting programmes

·         Alignment of health provision

·         Assertive Early Help – a whole workforce approach

·         'Edge of Care' Services.

For more information about Early Help and how you could get involved, visit our website.