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Early help
Early help describes the range of support that can be offered in response to the emerging needs of children, young people and families.
When a child’s needs increase, more than one service may be required to meet their needs. Early help is the name given to the way services work together, in a coordinated way, to support the child, young person and their family.
If you have more questions or would like to speak to someone, you can contact the Early Help Coordination Centre on 0345 155 1071 or email earlyhelpsecure-mailbox@devon.gcsx.gov.uk. The Devon Safeguarding Children Board website contains more information about early help and Pinpoint can be used to find early help services and providers across the County.
More information
- Early Help for Mental Health (EH4MH)
Early Help for Mental Health (EH4MH) – This programme aims to build resilience in children and young people by tackling mental health issues before they become more serious. It uses a range of approaches, including face-to-face counselling, online support and self-help advice and guidance. EH4MH also offers comprehensive help to schools, offering training, advice and clinical supervision, and raising awareness of emotional health and wellbeing among the school workforce in order to help change the culture around mental health. The EH4MH service is split into two elements:
- school support, delivered by Virgin Care, supports staff in all Devon schools to develop their knowledge of mental health conditions affecting young people and strategies for supporting children with early signs of mental and emotional stress;
- direct support, delivered by Young Devon and Xenzone, gives secondary school aged young people access to self-help tools, good information, online counselling and appropriate levels of support (online via KOOTH.com and face-to-face via Young Devon).