Early Help Services included in the Early Help Assessment (EHA)
When a child, young person or family is in need of support it is important to identify the best way forward at the earliest opportunity. The Somerset Early Help Assessment helps children/young people, their family and practitioners working with them to clearly record how things are for the family at the moment, strengths and needs, followed by a plan which will help to improve the family circumstances.
The Early Help Assessment should be completed in collaboration with the child/young person and family, and they should receive a copy of all relevant documents.
If you require practical advice in relation to completing an Early Help Assessment, please phone Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 or download the Early Help Assessment Practitioner Guidance.
If a child or young person reveals they are at risk of suffering actual or likely significant harm, the practitioner should follow the local safeguarding process immediately.
Early Help assessment
Each time you wish to complete an EHA please download the form, so you always have the most up to date version.
Early Help Assessment (EHA) and Child Protection Form (Please ensure the form is downloaded in .docx format.)Early Help Assessment – additional forms
Additional Children and Young People Form – EHA section 4 Additional Adults Form – EHA section 5Useful documents and resources
Effective Support Document – Please make sure you use this document to identify child and family needs to determine the right support at the right time.Step Up Step Down Protocol – This protocol describes the application of Step-Up and Step-Down mechanisms across Somerset to ensure a seamless journey for children, young people and their families across all services.Resolving Personal Differences Protocol – If you believe a professional or agency is not acting in the best interests of a child, young person, or family, you must respectfully challenge them, as per the Resolving Professional Differences (RPD) protocol.