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What is Early Help?

Early Help is about supporting children and families as soon as challenges begin to emerge. It aims to prevent issues from escalating and improve outcomes for children. When children and families need this extra support, they often need it quickly. At Dunbury, we offer a range of initial early help support at school level. We also work in partnership with Dorset Children's Services and other external agencies to facilitate wider Early Help, usually by holding a Team Around the Family meeting together (TAF). Working together with all the key people in a child's life ensures a holistic approach to the support needed for a child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Early Help is voluntary, and the views of the child and family will always be at the centre of any plan.

What’s the difference between school's early help and Dorset Early Help?

Dunbury early help offer:

Support for Children’s Learning

  • Attendance and punctuality support
  • Quality First Teaching adapted to meet individual needs
  • Targeted interventions (e.g phonics, spelling, maths) 

SEND Support

  • Early identification of needs 
  • SEND pupil learning plan (PLP)
  • Graduated approach (universal; targeted; specialist)
  • Referral to specialists where needed (SEND Local Offer)

Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour

  • Nurturing environments and bespoke routines
  • Behaviour support plans (PSP) 
  • Emotional regulation strategies 
  • ELSA intervention (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
  • MHST - Mental Health Support Team referral
  • Support with friendships and self-esteem

Pastoral and Family Support

  • Key adult support 
  • Regular communication with families 
  • Support with routines and home learning
  • Signposting to other services (health, housing, finance, parenting support, CAMHS and adult mental health support, etc.)

Wider Early Help offer

Where support is still needed, this can be widened through joint work with GPs, health visitors, other schools or early years providers, including Children's Services the SEND Local Offer and Family Hub  who can support with:

  • Childcare & Education: Find and access funding information, local nurseries, and school admissions.
  • Pregnancy & Early Years: Access midwifery, health visiting, infant feeding support, and child development advice.
  • Health & Wellbeing: Guidance on physical health, mental health services, and the NHS.
  • Practical & Financial Help: Information on benefits, housing support, local food provisions, and family money advice.
  • Parenting & Safety: Support courses, child welfare resources, and domestic abuse guidance

Who to Contact

If you would like to know more about the help available, please speak to:

  • Mrs Richardson – DSL/ Headteacher

  • Mrs Stoker – DDSL/ Deputy Headteacher / Pastoral and Inclusion Lead

  • Mrs Legge – DDSL and Early Years teacher

What Happens Next?

  • We’ll listen to you and your child

  • Together, we’ll identify what support is needed

  • We’ll complete an assessment and agree a plan

  • We'll review it regularly

  • If needed, we can link you with other professionals or services 

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