Referral for early help assessment

This section contains information about the referral process for families as part of an early help assessment.

Early help assessment (EHA)

An EHA is defined as multi-agency, support for children, young people and families where there are multiple issues using a Team Around the Family approach with an identified Lead Practitioner.

As outlined within the Early Help Strategy 2020-2023, an Early Help assessment is where children, young people and their families require support from a multi-agency response at an early help threshold to prevent escalation of issues. Leicester City Council and their partners have adopted an approach to early help assessments being completed within an agencies own structure and processes as a Lead Professional/Practitioner adhering to the principles outlined below within Leicester’s Early Help Strategy 2020-2023:

• Agreement gained
• An assessment of need is undertaken with an action plan in place
• A focus on outcomes for children and their families
• A team around the family approach (whole family work) must be in place
• Regular review of the plan at least every 3 months
• Management oversight must be in place

Children and young people's emotional, mental health and wellbeing services is a guide that give referrers information on each of the commissioned services available for children and young people, details about who can refer and how to contact them.

You can access the council’s early help wider offer for Children Centre’s and Family Support on our Family Information website and other council early help services such as the Youth Service and Connexions on the MyChoice website.

Advice Point contact details

To seek advice, signposting or low level and short term support contact Advice Point on 0116 454 1004 or walk in to your nearest centre - view the cluster map (PDF). 

Further referral support

Early Help and Children's Social Care
0116 454 1004
Email: early-help@leicester.gov.uk

For any other queries or support with the Early Help Assessment process: Early Help Co-ordinator on 0116 454 1694 or email early-help-queries@leicester.gov.uk

Reporting a safeguarding concern

If you have concerns for the health and wellbeing of a child, contact the Duty and Advice Service on 0116 454 1004.   
Please do not email your concerns to any of the email addresses provided on this page.