Can I proceed with an Early Help Assessment without the consent of the family? No, an Early Help Assessment is a voluntary process and therefore parents and children where appropriate should be fully engaged in the process and consent must be given.
Duties to provide accommodation
Under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, local authority social services have an ongoing general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of ‘children in need’ (and those of their families) in their area. This duty can include providing accommodation.
What is early help Manchester?
“This is a strategy for the communities that support those who may be experiencing difficulties. It is a strategy for the professionals who work with families, adults and children. Most of all it is a strategy for all of our families: adults, children and young people.”
What is early help Trafford?
Early Help in Trafford aims to make sure that services to support children, young people and their families are there when they need them. Sometimes you may need help or extra support to sort out a problem or challenge. You don’t need to feel alone.
Can I refuse a child in need assessment?
Yes. Child in need assessments are voluntary. This means that parents or carers do not have to agree to have an assessment. Remember, a child in need assessment aims to find out what extra help and services a child and their family need.
Do you need parental consent to make a referral to children’s services?
You must get consent from the young person (if they are over 16) or their family before a referral can be submitted. The only exception to this is when there is an immediate risk of significant harm.
Can you refuse early help?
Early Help is voluntary and is about working alongside your family to support you, if you change your mind you can withdraw consent at any time if you no longer wish to continue with the Early Help assessment process.
What is an early help assessment for parents?
Early Help Assessments (EHA) are used to identify a child and family’s needs and strengths, and to plan the right support and services to address those needs at an early stage. The process allows different agencies and services to share information and work together in a coordinated way.
How do I refer to early help?
If you wish to refer to the Early Help Service you can complete the below Multi-Agency Referral Form and email the Early Help Team or call 020 7332 3621.
- Phone 020 7332 3621 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
- After hours please phone Hackney Emergency Duty Team on 020 8356 2710.
- Or email the Children and Families team.
What does early help mean safeguarding?
Early help means providing support as soon as a problem is identified, at any point in a child or young person’s life. Early help can also prevent further problems arising.
What does an early help assessment do?
It helps: professionals identify the needs of children and young people at risk of poor outcomes. it reduces duplication of assessment and. improves involvement between agencies.
Who might benefit from early help?
- Early Help is providing support to children, young people and their families as soon as problems start.
- The purpose of Early Help is, through prompt and targeted support to prevent challenges and problems becoming more serious to the child, young person, the family and the wider community.
You have every right to refuse any social service people admission to your home. They would have to go away and get police assistance + court order (they would have to provide enough evidence to a judge it was an emergency, that your kids were at risk).
Can I refuse a needs assessment?
The law states you are entitled to a needs assessment. Declining one (or not insisting) may come back to bite you in the “but” and there is no going back.
Advice from the Family Rights Group notes that parents do not have to agree to their children being assessed (see p. 28 here). This is the critical point that social workers seem to frequently ignore.
What happens in the assessment. Someone from the council such as a social worker or occupational therapist will ask you how you’re managing everyday tasks like washing, dressing and cooking. They might ask you to describe how well you do certain things like making a cup of tea and getting out of a chair.
Why do parents need to be involve in pre referral process?
Purpose. The purpose of the pre-referral process is to ensure your child tries reasonable accommodations and modifications before she’s referred for special education assessment. Sometimes, a change in the classroom can turn her performance around and make it unnecessary to consider special education services.
At what age can a child give informed consent?
Like adults, young people (aged 16 or 17) are presumed to have sufficient capacity to decide on their own medical treatment, unless there’s significant evidence to suggest otherwise.
Can a family refuse early help assessment?
The EHA is an entirely voluntary, consensual process and an assessment cannot be undertaken unless the child, young person and/or their parent agree to participate. Before undertaking an EHA you should discuss your reasons for doing so with the child or young person and their parent or carer.
Some families will refuse to consent or co-operate when early help is suggested. Sometimes verbal consent will be given (as a result of a Safeguarding referral) and then withdrawn when a professional or practitioner attempts to engage the family.
How long does early help last?
We provide help and support to children, young people and their families from before birth up to the age of 19.