Early Help provide services that can be accessed locally at a time and place that suits families to help them to do well, stay safe and resolve problems at the earliest possible opportunity, before they become more serious.

Come and talk to our Parent Support Advisors if you would like more information or you would like them to help you access these services.

Early Help provide a range of services to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of children, young people and families in Kent through their partner organisations.

For example, they can offer support if:

• you are worried about your child's behaviour
• you are struggling to cope
• you are worried about your family finances
• your child is struggling to cope with bereavement
• your child is being bullied
• your child refuses to go to school or college
• you or your child want to develop new friends and have new experiences
• you are having difficulties with family relationships.

Depending on the help that you are looking for, there are a number of ways in which you can ask for Early Help support through our partner organisations.

Children's Centres and Youth Hubs

Your local Children’s Centre can provide a wide range of groups and services aimed at families including:

• stay and play, baby massage
• midwifery appointments
• Health Visitor antenatal and post-natal appointments
• young parents groups
• parenting support
• breastfeeding support
• communication and language
• community and health services
•  

Youth Hubs provide services which are aimed at young people and adolescents including:

• support the personal development of young people
• help young people develop stronger relationships
• encourage young people to respect and value differences
• promote the voice of young people
• help to set up, plan and evaluate youth club session

If you would benefit from some 1:1 support or low-level family intervention this would be classed as Additional Support. This support is expected on average to last 6-8 weeks. Please speak to a team member at your local Children's Centre or Youth Hub for more information.

Young people

There are a number of services which can support young people in Kent, including:

• HeadStart, who support young people to cope better with difficult circumstances before they become serious issues
• Kent Young Carers, a countywide service for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent
• services available for young people, including Kent Youth County Council, volunteering opportunities, sexual health advice, the Try Angle Awards

Further help

You can also find out more about:

• outdoor education centres
• support services for people suffering domestic abuse
• activities outside school
• keeping you and your child safe
• volunteering with children, families and young people
• working for our service
• carer support services
• other types of care and support available.

Information about Early Help's family support services is also available in alternative formats and can be explained in a range of languages. Call 03000 41 41 41 for details.