The Early Help Assessment (EHA) is a simple way to help identify needs of children and families and make a plan to meet those needs. It can be used by all agencies in Northamptonshire who are delivering early help. Its purpose is to provide a joined up response so no-one misses out on the support they may need.
The EHA can be used to support children and young people between 0 to 19 years, including unborn babies and can also be used with consent up to the age of 24 where a young person has a learning difficulty or disability.
A family may need early help support if they have a child who:
- is disabled and has specific additional needs
- has special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory education, health and care plan)
- is a young carer
- is showing signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups
- is frequently missing or goes missing from care or from home
- is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation
- is at risk of being radicalised or exploited
- is in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as drug and alcohol misuse, adult mental health issues and domestic abuse
- is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves
- has returned home to their family from care
- is a privately fostered child