Welcome
In this Newsletter we will be informing you of topics discussed at the Early Help Improvement Board & will keep you up to date with key messages & any important changes.
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) want you to ensure that you consider employment as a solution towards improving the lives of the families you work with.
- Children growing up in workless families are almost twice as likely as children in working families to fail at all stages of education;
- Employment is considered to be beneficial to health, in particular mental health;
- Workless families are considerably more likely to experience problems with their relationships, have poor mental health & have problem debt;
- Worklessness & the complex problems associated with it hold people back & prevent them from reaching their potential.
Have the conversation:
Challenge, Encourage & Support
Allow families to make their own decisions; don’t assume that someone cannot work. Ensure historical trauma doesn’t get in the way of moving forwards, everyone wants a better future.
For further support for you & your families, contact the DWP Early Help Work Coaches in your area:
- Exeter, Exmouth, Cranbrook & Okehampton | Alice Walsh
- Mid & East Devon | Siobhan Kent
- South Hams Teignbridge & Ivybridge | Katrina Murphy
- North Devon & Torridge | Alice Walsh
Devon County Council received notification from Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) to announce an inspection of the local area. This started on Monday 10th December & reviewed the support provided by the local area to judge how well it meets its responsibilities for children & young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).
To find out more and keep up to date about the SEND Local Offer please visit Devon's website.
Devon's Early Help system is spot checked by the National Troubled Families Unit where case samples are required at short notice.
To be prepared, partners who have had involvement with a Troubled Families case need to ensure relevant evidence is up to date.
See here for more information of the process and the type of evidence that could be requested. |
In December, Board members reviewed the Early Help Improvement Plan to ensure that it reflects the next stage of Early Help journey in Devon.
Early Help locality groups continue to grow in strength & numbers and are developing their own plans.
To find out when your local meetings are, check the Devon Children & Families Partnership website.
Babcock LDP offer termly Safeguarding Forums for Headteachers & Senior Designated Safeguarding Officers to refresh safeguarding knowledge & understanding, update & share best practice.
Book a place now for Spring term Safeguarding forums.
Remember that Babcock LDP's website provides access to their latest Keeping Children Safe newsletters, & other useful safeguarding information, help & guidance.
The National Citizen Service is the Country’s fastest growing youth movement available to all 16 & 17 year olds. It is a part-residential experience focussed around fun & discovery, with 60 hours committed to a local community project.
Young people work in diverse teams of 12-15, building skills for work & life, taking on exciting challenges, making new friends, & contributing to their community. The programme runs outside term time, with young people taking part in the summer holidays. Government funding means you pay no more than £50 to take part covering food, transport & accommodation during the programme, though bursaries are available for young people unable to meet the cost.
To find out more please visit the NCS website.
There is help available for paying for childcare. The parents you work with could be entitled to up to 30 hours funded childcare for working parents (3 & 4yr olds) & tax-free childcare but some parents are not aware of the support & therefore are not claiming their entitlement. 20% of parents that are eligible for the 30 hours extended entitlement are not claiming.
You can use a range of communication tools to help you promote 30 hours & tax-free childcare.
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