Make an early help assessment referral
Information and forms for making an early help assessment referral.
New early help assessments (EHA)
Notice - 27 September 2019: There is a reported issue with the MARF referral form which is being investigated. If you encounter an issue completing the MARF form please contact Early Help Queries team on 0116 454 1694.
A referral can be made by a young person aged over 16, a parent, carer or a professional by completing a Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF). Before completing the MARF, please contact the One Number on 0116 454 1004 to discuss your request.
If you are a member of staff for Leicester City Council and have full access to the Early Help Module, your referral must be completed on Liquid Logic.
Requesting support as part of an existing EHA
If you are already supporting a family through an EHA within your agency but would like support from other council Early Help services, contact the One Number and complete the MARF.
Where there is an education health and care (EHC) plan in place
(mainstream schools only)
If you have an EHC plan in place for a child but require support as part of a whole family approach to address problems at an Early Help threshold then the EHC planning should incorporate and EHA as part of a single planning process.
Where there is a need for support for other members of the family, it may be the case that there will be 2 plans:
- the EHC plan for the child, and
- an EHA that relates to the wider issues for the child and other members of their family
There should be clear co-ordination between the plans to ensure joined up planning for the child and to avoid duplication. In these cases, schools will become the Lead Practitioner but can still access wider support as part of the EHA as outlined above. You just need to make it clear on the MARF that you are requesting support as part of an existing EHA in your agency.
What happens next?
Once submitted, your referral will be sent to the Early Help Partnership Allocations Hub for allocation to an agency to take on the role of Lead Practitioner or for professionals to become part of an existing EHA. Where there are families who need support in the interim whilst a decision is made, they will be supported through the council’s Advice Point.
Further support
If you are unable to complete the MARF online, please request a copy of the MARF in an alternative format by contacting the Early Help Queries team on 0116 454 1694 or email early-help-queries@leicester.gov.uk.
Please note, if you are completing the MARF in an alternative format you will need to send this securely to early-help@leicester.gov.uk.