Early Help and Family Support
Family life can be wonderful and wearing, sometimes in the same hour. If you’d like a helping hand, you’re in the right place.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
What is Early Help?
Most families get by with little outside support. But bringing up children can be demanding, and every family has busy, tiring or tricky patches. Early Help simply means getting the right support in place at the first sign that things feel harder, before small worries grow bigger.
It’s not about judging anyone. It’s about local services working together with you, so you don’t have to work everything out alone.
It is always OK to ask for help.
Asking early can make things feel more manageable.
TALK TO US
How we can help at nursery
You know your child best, and we see them every day. If you’d like to talk about anything, from sleep and behaviour to money worries or big changes at home, just ask for a quiet word with your child’s key person or our manager. We’ll listen, and we’ll never make you feel rushed or judged.
If you’d like more support, we can help you find it and, with your knowledge and agreement, talk to local services on your behalf.
WHAT SUPPORT CAN LOOK LIKE
What might happen next
Everything moves at your pace, and you’re part of every conversation.
1
A friendly chat
We talk through what’s going well and what’s feeling tough. This can happen in stages, it doesn’t have to be all in one go.
2
A Strengths and Needs conversation
A relaxed way of looking at family life, using a simple form that you help to fill in. It covers your strengths as well as where you’d like support.
3
A Team Around the Family meeting, if helpful
The people who support your child, such as nursery, health visitors and family support workers, meet with you to agree one joined-up plan, so you don’t have to keep repeating your story.
LOCAL SUPPORT
Who are the Locality Community Support Service?
The Locality Community Support Service (LCSS) is Oxfordshire County Council’s Early Help team. They work with schools, nurseries and community groups across the county, and can give advice and support to professionals and families about Early Help, including what local services are available near you.
Talk to LCSS
Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 5pm
Friday, 8.30am – 4pm
Talk to us first
Not sure where to start? Our team is happy to help you take the first step.
01235 612610 (8:00am – 6:00pm)
If a child is at immediate risk
If you’re worried a child is in danger or being harmed, call the Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01865 519800 during office hours. Outside office hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0800 833 408. In an emergency, always call 999.
You can also contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead directly:
Lorraine McGill
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)