EARLY SUPPORT

Early Support is a delivery mechanism for Standard 8 of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, which requires that:

‘Children and young people who are disabled or have complex health needs receive co-ordinated, high quality child and family-centred services, which are based on assessed needs, which promote social inclusion and where possible, enable them and their families to live ordinary lives.’

Early Support began in 2003, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (then the Department for Education and Skills) and the Department of Health. At that time it was called the Early Support Pilot Programme (ESPP). It was funded to promote the implementation of Government guidance and encourage better co-ordination of services for families with young children.

The programme was developed in partnership with a wide range of voluntary organisations and  45 pathfinder areas were identified and funded in 2004-2006 to try out new ways of working and share experience.  The Government invested £13 million in the development of Early Support from 2003 to 2006.

Following evaluation, the implementation of Early Support across England was announced in May 2007 in Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families ‘to promote wraparound, timely provision for young disabled children and their families’.

Documents

Early Support Service Audit Tool (2009)

Lead Professional Practitioners Guide (CWDC 2007)

Lead Professional Managers Guide (CWDC 2007)

Websites

Early Support

Page reviewed April 2009