Early Help
‘Working together to help Children, Young People and their Families thrive’
Early Help
What is Early Help?
Early Help is taking action early to provide support where problems are emerging for children, young people and their families. Early help support may be provided at any point in a child or young person’s life. The sooner the family receives the support, the sooner they are able to improve their situation and prevent the need for prolonged support.
Early Help is here to find out what is working well for families and what areas they might be worried about; it can help to build on families’ strengths and identify any needs where support might be needed. It is an approach that brings people together from different teams and services who work together with the whole family. The main focus is to improve outcomes for children.
Why would I need Early Help?
The type of things that Early Help can support you with include:
- Worries about your child’s health development or behaviour.
- You might be worried about how they are doing at school.
- You might have worries about money or housing and how that is affecting you.
- Your child and family may be affected by domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol, ill health or crime.
Early Help can give you the tools to solve challenges or problems you are experiencing with help from others where needed.
Who do I ask for help?
At Straits Primary School you can talk with someone who you’re familiar with – the headteacher, deputy head, a teacher or any member of the school staff team.
You can also contact your local Family Centre (Dudley North) and ask to speak to a Duty Worker who will be able to provide lots of advice around Early Help and how it might be able to support you. They offer help in:
- Parenting support
- Information on childcare options eg Time for Twos and Extra Time for threes and fours
- Information on early years, primary, secondary and post 16 education
- Groups including Stay and Plays, breastfeeding buddy groups, baby groups, voluntary groups etc
- Health Visiting Service
- Midwifery Service
- Support and advice on emotional health and wellbeing
Address: Bayer Street, Coseley, BILSTON, West Midlands, WV14 9DS
Telephone Number: 01384 813096
Email: fs.dudleynorth@dudley.gov.uk
Dudley family Hubs: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/family-hubs
Reporting a concern
If you are concerned about a child or young person please call the telephone numbers below.
During office hours call the children's services service on 0300 555 0050 selecting option 3 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).
Out of office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 555 8574.
In an emergency call 999
Dudley Early Help Strategy
Positive Parenting Programme
The Dudley Parents website is a one-stop-shop for parenting advice in the Dudley Borough. Access free parenting guidance via the options shown on the website.
https://dudleyparents.co.uk/home
Parenting Programmes - Spring 26
Family Line
FamilyLine is a free service available to support parents and carers manage the challenges of parenthood via telephone, text message and email. Whether it’s emotional support or practical advice on any aspect of parenting or broader family life.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm
Telephone: 0808 802 6666
Text message: 07537 404 282
Email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
Operational hours: Monday - Friday: 9am to 9pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am to 1pm
Text outside of these hours at weekends for support.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands – Autism & ADHD Behaviour Support
Helping parents navigate the world of additional needs through understanding behaviours, creating strategies and sharing lived experiences.
Who can access this service
Parents/carers of little/young people with ASD/ADHD diagnosis or being assessed by a professional on an official diagnosis pathway. 0-25 years where a diagnosis of ASD/ADHD is present.
Email: helpinghandsbc@family-action.org.uk
Telephone: 07881 265320
https://family-action.org.uk/services/helping-hands-autism-adhd-behaviour-support/
Provision House
Provision House (formerly known as Loaves n Fishes) is a Christian charity based in the West Midlands. We are committed to the relief of poverty and all its effects on the people of Sandwell, Dudley and the wider Black Country. We aim to do this by delivering care in the way of furniture, clothes, household items, food and more to help those that need it most. We help them to build a home for themselves and also try to establish links with organisations for their ongoing benefit. Support includes:
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Healthy Dudley
www.healthydudley.co.uk is the new web address for Dudley’s public health and wellbeing advice and information.
The council’s website provides local, regional and national facts and resources. It covers all life stages from pregnancy and early life to healthy ageing.
Get the latest intelligence and join in with campaigns, projects and local activities. There are also resources to help plan for later life, cook healthy recipes, and tools to manage stress and cope with bereavement.
Additionally, the website has details to help you become more active, stop smoking and protect your health.
Healthy Dudley Spring 26 Update
Worrying about Money
Barnardo's - Family Space
Being a parent or carer can be the most wonderful thing in the world and can bring so much love and joy into your life. We also know that the responsibility of parenthood and the daily challenges of this role can be as daunting as they can be exciting.
The Family Space is here for you.
Our virtual family hub offers information, advice, guidance and support for all stages of your parenting or caring journey.
Our nationwide network of family hubs and children’s centres provides services directly to parents and care givers of children of all ages. If you aren’t able to get to a centre or hub, we hope you will find what you need here.
https://families.barnardos.org.uk/
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.
https://www.operationencompass.org/
CAMHS
Dudley CAMHS is a specialist mental health service commissioned to provide interventions to those children, young people and their families who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. We currently support young people up to the age of 18 with a GP registered in the Dudley area.
- Telephone: 01922 607000
- You can also visit the Contact us page
- If you need urgent help visit the help in a crisis page.
https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/dudley-camhs
Mental Health
This Mya Help: www.thismayhelp.me
Staying Safe: http://stayingsafe.net/
SANE: 0845 767 800 www.sane.org.uk
Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hour helpline) https://www.samaritans.org/
Rethink Mental Illness: 0300 5000 927 www.rethink.org
Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.uk
MIND 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 www.mind.org.uk
Anxiety UK 08444 775 774 https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Happier Minds https://happierminds.org.uk
Budgeting
Managing your money through a budget is a good way to make sure you don't go in to debt, and make your pounds go further. Put simply, a budget helps you see how much money you have coming in and how much you have to spend. The Money Advice Service has lots of advice and budget templates to help you draw up a budget that works for you.
Website: Money Advice Service - Budgeting and managing money (opens in a new window)
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/