Early Support is a national programme to improve the way that services for pre-school children with additional needs in England work with families.
Early Support is relevant to all agencies that provide services for families in:
- hospital and clinical settings
- Child Development Centres
- mainstream Early Years settings
- Sure Start children's centres
- a range of specialist support agencies, including portage services
- voluntary organisations.
Early Support keeps families at the centre of all decisions about their child. As part of Early Support there are some people you are likely to see or have contact with in addition to your health visitor.
These people may include:
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A Consultant Community Paediatrician – a medical doctor who diagnoses and looks after children with developmental issues from birth.
As the child gets older, the Paediatrician gives the setting/school medical advice on how to meet your child’s needs and remains available to help manage existing or new concerns until your child leaves school.
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A Physiotherapist – helps with the development of movement, balance and coordination.
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An Occupational Therapist (OT) – assesses and advises on your child’s developing abilities to help with day to day activities.
Both Physios and OTs may use equipment to help your child, from wheelchairs and stair lifts to specialised cutlery and cups
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Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) – assessed and advises on all aspects of your child’s speech, language, communication and feeding.
- Paediatric Community Nurses – offer specialist services for your child if they have a chronic and complex healthcare need.
Early Years - the Team includes Early Years Specialist Support Teachers, Portage Home Visitors, Educational Psychologists, Area Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and Support Workers.
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The Early Support Coordinator is the central contact point for both parents and professionals in the coordination of services and is a useful source of local information.
You may also meet, depending on your child’s needs:
- The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services/Learning Disability Team,
- The Visual Impaired and Hearing impaired Teachers and Support Workers,
- Social Worker
As part of Early Support your child may have several assessments. These may be done at home, in a pre-school setting, in a hospital, or in a clinic. Following these initial assessments a written plan will be produced which helps planning and outlines future actions. The Family Service Plan will be reviewed regularly. Your family will be involved at each step of the process.