Family Help
Family Help (Early Help / EHAT) at Banks Road Primary School
At Banks Road Primary School, we are committed to supporting children and families as soon as challenges arise. This approach is known as Family Help, also referred to as Early Help or the Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT).
What is Family Help?
Family Help is a way of working with families to offer support before problems escalate. It is designed to improve outcomes, build resilience, and reduce the need for statutory intervention. It is part of our whole-school safeguarding approach and reflects our commitment to Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025).
“Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life, from the foundation years through to the teenage years.”
— DfE, KCSIE 2025
When is Family Help Offered?
We may offer Family Help when:
A child’s attendance, behaviour, or wellbeing causes concern
A family is experiencing housing, financial, or health challenges
A child has additional needs but does not meet the threshold for statutory services
There are concerns about parenting, relationships, or home circumstances
A child is persistently absent or at risk of educational neglect
We use the Liverpool LSCP Responding to Need Framework to guide our decisions and ensure support is proportionate and effective.
What Does Family Help Involve?
A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or trained staff member will meet with the family to discuss concerns.
We may complete an Early Help Assessment (EHAT) to identify strengths and needs.
A Team Around the Family (TAF) may be formed, involving relevant professionals.
A support plan will be agreed with clear actions and review dates.
We work in partnership with families, respecting their voice and choices, and always act in the best interests of the child.
Our Commitment
Banks Road Primary School:
Has a strategy for providing Family Help, as outlined in our Child Protection Policy
Works with other agencies to coordinate support and improve outcomes
Uses the EHAT process to ensure timely and effective intervention
Escalates concerns when necessary, following the LSCP Escalation and Resolution Procedure
Ensures all staff are trained to identify when Family Help may be needed