The purpose of an early help assessment (EHA) is to understand what is working well and what we're worried about. We identify the actions to be taken to improve outcomes for children and families holistically, covering the whole family and their family network.
The EHA is not just a form; it's a process which allows practitioners to assess needs, identify and plan support and carry out the support as part of a structured framework.
You should undertake an EHA if you feel that a child or young person may need more support (beyond that available from a single agency).
The process
The EHA process involves the assessment of the child or young person's strengths and needs (which must be undertaken through a discussion with the child or young person and/or their family). It also includes the identification of what actions should be taken to address those needs.
Time and care must be taken to make sure the assessment is based on good communication and undertaken with respect for all parties. A 'good' assessment is both a good quality process and a good quality product.
Step 1
When you decide to undertake an EHA you'll need to gain consent from the family and complete the Early Help Assessment form. The EHA should be completed with the family, with input from other professionals working with the family.
- Once you've completed the form and it's been signed, you need to scan and email it to earlyhelp@barnsley.gov.uk or take it to your local family hub.
- The Early Help Team will confirm if an EHA is already underway or if there's an open social care case and contact you as needed.
Step 2
Once you've completed the EHA and sent it to the Early Help team you'll need to:
- Scan and email the completed Family Network Plan to the Early Help team at earlyhelp@barnsley.gov.uk
- Scan and email the closure form and outcome documents to the earlyhelp@barnsley.gov.uk
- Family Network meetings should ideally be held every six to eight weeks. The completed action plan should be submitted after each meeting to the earlyhelp@barnsley.gov.uk, clearly indicating the family name, family group number and date of network meeting.
- Ask your local family hub for help if you don't have access to scanning facilities
What a good quality assessment should entail
A good quality EHA process should be:
- Empowering - engaging the child or young person and/or their parent/carer, and supporting them to participate in, and take responsibility for, their contribution to a collaborative assessment.
- Developmental - supporting the child or young person and parent/carer to adopt a self-determining, solution-focused approach to the discussion.
- Accessible - for all concerned, including the efficient use of time and access to the means needed to undertake the assessment (for example equipment, interpreter).
- Transparent - the purpose of the assessment is clear, the discussion is open and honest and there is no hidden agenda.
A good quality EHA provides an analysis of the child or young person's strengths and needs. The principles underpinning it should be:
- Child and young person centred - the child/young person is seen and kept in focus throughout the assessment.
- Inclusive - the assessment includes the voice of the child/young person and their family, and their views and voice are captured throughout the assessment process.
- Clear - the assessment is concise and uses family friendly language by all those involved.
- Promoting equal opportunities - the assessment isn't biased and gives positive expression to the opinions and experiences of the child and their family without prejudice or discrimination.
- Professional - the assessment is non-judgemental and follows organisational codes of practice for recording/writing public documents.
- Authentic - the assessment is an accurate and evidence-based record of the discussions with the child/young person and their family and with professionals.
- Solution focused - the assessment focuses on what the child/young person and their family want to achieve.
- Accessible - for everyone, including the efficient use of time and access to the tools needed to undertake the assessment (for example equipment, interpreter).
- Transparent - the purpose of the assessment is clear; the discussion is open and honest and there's no hidden agenda.
- Practical – The assessment clearly identifies the strengths and needs of the child and their family and there is an appropriate action plan to address those needs, as well as information on what could happen if no action is taken.