Early help
Extra support from the council for a family, offered before things reach crisis point. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for it.
Applies in England
Early help is support the council can offer a family before a child's needs meet the threshold Threshold The level of need a family must show before a service will step in. Most local areas set out their thresholds in a document you can ask to see. Read the full definition of Threshold for social care. It might include parenting support, family workers or help getting other services involved, and it often starts with an early help assessment. It is voluntary: you choose whether to take part, and you can ask for it yourself through your council, your child's school or a health visitor.
Early help is an England term, framed by the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. The newest version of that guidance folds targeted early help into a wider offer it calls family help, so you may hear either phrase depending on your area. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland organise this kind of support differently and use different names.
Across the UK
- Families First : In Wales, early support for families is offered through Families First and through your council's information, advice and assistance service.
- Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) : In Scotland, early support is organised through the Getting it right for every child approach, GIRFEC for short. Ask your school or health visitor how it works in your area.
- Family Support Hubs : In Northern Ireland, Family Support Hubs connect families to early support in their area.
Where this comes from
- Working together to safeguard children , Department for Education. Checked 2026-08-15.
Your child doesn't need a diagnosis to get support
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