Early help

Early Help is vital for improving children’s life chances and delivering better outcomes for them and their families. The sooner we can help families, the more likely it is that they can achieve positive and stable futures  Children and families need to be equipped to adapt positively to challenging life experiences. We know resilient families and communities can bounce back and thrive despite the challenges they face.

While our aim is for children, young people and their families to be confident and independent through their own personal resilience and the support of their networks, this isn’t always possible without some external help. This help needs to be delivered by a variety of partners whose support is available to everyone, such as early years, health services, education, play and youth provision; as well as effective accessible targeted or more specialist services, when they are needed.

Our Prevention and Early Help model is based on the belief that building trusting relationships, providing the right support at the right time and in the right place, will help keep children and young people safe within their families, networks and communities.

Family partners work with families who need support and:

• are dedicated to the family
• look at what is happening for the family as a whole
• give practical, hands-on support to the family
• have an assertive and challenging approach
• are supported by a plan agreed with the family and relevant services

We work across North Tyneside and are based in the Family Hubs:

Shiremoor Hub

Riverside Hub

Howdon Hub

Alternatively, you can contact the Early Help and Coordination team on 0191 643 8178.

We use a Signs of Safety model of practice in North Tyneside because we believe the principles align with our values and ambitions for the children and families we work with.  Signs of Safety is an evidence-based, questioning approach that keeps the child at the centre of the work we do with them and their family. 

The Signs of Safety model helps to identify what is working well for the family as a starting point for support and planning.  It allows us to learn what the family wants and how they think changes can be made.

We believe that the tools and frameworks offered by the Signs of Safety model enable our practitioners to deliver high quality services and achieve positive change for children and families. The foundation of good practice always comes back to the values and principles that underline every interaction. 

The Drug and Alcohol Family Support Service support adults around drug and alcohol use and children impacted by an adult’s drug and alcohol use.

The service supports young people on a one-to-one basis around their own drug and alcohol use and offers education sessions to all years 8 and 10 pupils in schools.

Schools can refer directly to the service and request tailored group work around any drug or alcohol concerns.