How to access Early Help services

All children have a right to a range of universal services and for children who needs are consistently met by their parents and carers, these may be the only services they will ever need.

There are different ways to access support dependent on the need. There are three levels in Early Help:

Universal

  • The majority of universal services will be delivered within the community, such as by GPs, schools, voluntary agencies etc.
  • We offer a number of universal services, Childrens' Centres, Young People

Universal Plus

  • Universal Plus is where you need additional help through universal services to support children, young people and families, which generally involves one Universal service alongside just one other agency/or professional.
  • You can use our ‘Universal Plus’ form to access our range of services such as parenting programmes, specific youth and children’s centre activities
  • Universal plus form

Targeted Early Help

  • Targeted Early Help is where a coordinated multi-agency (requiring two or more agencies) approach is needed.
  • If this is the case an Early Help request will need to be completed. All requests for Early Help are received by Barnet’s MASH Team. Following a multi-agency discussion at the Early Help Panel, a Lead Professional and Team Around the Child will be identified.
  • An Early Help Assessment will be completed by the Lead Professional to identify need and agree a plan with the family. The Lead Professional will coordinate the Team Around the Child and subsequent reviews.
  • When requesting an Early Help assessment you must make to the request of the child or young person’s home address
  • MASH / Early help form

If you feel you have urgent welfare concerns about children or young people that require an immediate response, phone the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 8359 4066. The MASH team are available Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5.15 pm and Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

Outside of these hours you should report any concerns that need an immediate response to our emergency duty team on 020 8359 2000.

If you believe a child is at risk of immediate harm please call the Police on 999