Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any
support or guidance please contact the Early Help Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
Checked the child’s level of need requires an EHA? (Thresholds and Pathways page)
Y/N
Y
Spoken to the child and family about this process?
Y/N
Y
Checked if an EHA is already in place for the child? (Contact EH support services)
Y
Got consent from the parent to start an EHA?
Y
Have You:
Identifying Details
1. Person Completing this Form
Date EHA completed
Organisation/Team
Name of Assessor
04/08/15
Anywhere Children’s Centre
Date of Assessment
Sam Smith
Job Title/Role
Family Support Worker
01604 999999
Email address
[email protected]
01/08/15
2. Children and Young People in the Family (put the child you are currently working with first)
State name as ‘unborn baby’ and mother's full name
First Name
Surname
Previous
name/aka
DOB/EDD
Gender
Address and postcode
Jane
Green
N/A
19/07/11
Female
16 Somewhere St
Northampton
NN1 6YY
Religion
Ethnicity
Nationality
First
Language
School/early
years setting
WHITBRI
British
English
Hightown
Academy (from
3/09/15)
None
Do any of the children or young people have an Education, Health and Care Plan?
If yes
If yes give details:
May 2015
Yes
No
Do any of the children or young people have a disability?
Yes
No
If yes give details:
1
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any
support or guidance please contact the Early Help Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
Do any of the children or young people have caring responsibilities?
Yes
No
Do any of the adults in the family have a disability?
Yes
No
If yes give details:
If yes give details:
3. Adults in the Family (including other significant adults or connected people, including those who do not live with the child/young person)
DOB
Gender
Green
7/04/88
Female
16 Somewhere St
Northampton
NN1 6YY
Mark
Green
n/k
Male
Andrew
Martins
n/k
Male
First
Name
Surname
Sarah
May 2015
Previous
name/aka
Main
telephone
number
Ethnicity
Nationality
First
Language
Relationship
to
child/children
Parental
responsibility
Y/N
0779999999
WHITBRI
British
English
Mother
Y
unknown
WHITBRI
British
English
Father
Y
20 Somewhere St
Northampton
NN1 6YY
WHITBRI
British
English
Mother’s
partner
N
Address and
postcode
2
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any
support or guidance please contact the Early Help Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
4. Services already working with the child/young person and/or family
GP surgery name
and address
Name
June Watts
May 2015
Hightown Surgery, North Road, Northampton
Role
Health Visitor
Tel
No
01604 666666
Organisation/service
Hightown Surgery, North Road, Northampton
Email
address
Tel no
01604 666666
email
[email protected]
3
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any support or guidance please contact the Early Help
Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
ASSESSMENT
The Family Journey
Please refer to Thresholds and Pathways http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/thresholds-pathways
5. What is life like for the family?
Areas to think about - family history and functioning, family members, family health and wellbeing, housing, employment, money,
violence in the household, social integration and community resources where they live, history of significant events, support
networks. Cover strengths as well as risk factors – See guidance for more help on this
Historic:
Mum – Sarah
Sarah stated that she had a good childhood with loving parents. She said that she still has a very close bond
with her parents and siblings who support her on a daily basis as they all live in walking distance to each other.
Sarah talked proudly about her parents who look after children who are in care.
Sarah is in a new relationship with Andrew who was a close friend of Mark for many years. This has led to
friction between Sarah and Mark with Mark making accusations against Andrew. Andrew spends time with
Sarah and Jane in their home on a daily basis as he lives a few doors away. I observed a very close and
appropriate bond between Andrew and Jane during my visit.
We discussed Sarah’s health and the impact this has on her ability to parent positively. At times Sarah suffers
with anxiety and low mood. She is able to identify this independently and takes appropriate action by seeking
support from her GP. She is given medication when needed and states that she is not currently on any
medication as she feels able to manage her mood despite the problematic relationship between herself and
Mark.
We discussed the impact that negative moods can have on our ability to parent and the negative impact this
has emotionally on children. Sarah identified the emotional risk that the arguments between herself and Mark
have on Jane and the need to keep her safe.
Sarah is settled in her home and is able to manage her finances. She is claiming all the benefits that she is
entitled to as she is currently a single parent.
Sarah states that she has few friends who live close by to her but as she is close to her family she does not feel
that she is not part of the community because of this.
Sarah does not work but as Jane is due to start School in September she has spoken to a representative at the
Job Centre who is supporting Sarah with a back to work plan which includes supporting with a CV. Sarah is
keen to return to work and states she is willing to try anything.
6. How were the family affected by any difficulties or problems in the past and how is the current situation
affecting them?
Areas to think about – birth of children, bereavements in family, house moves, evictions, job loss, imprisonment etc
Sarah and Mark separated in March 2015. Sarah stated that she had been unhappy in the marriage for a long
time and felt isolated trying to manage Jane and her challenging behaviour without any support from Mark.
When Sarah and Mark were together Mark was suffering with low mood and he needed support with his
angry outbursts. Sarah states that the outbursts were always directed at her and not Jane. Sarah also needed
May 2015
4
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any support or guidance please contact the Early Help
Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
support with Jane as she felt that Jane could have ADHD. The Health Visitor and Children’s centre supported
Sarah with behaviour management and talked through the 123 Magic behaviour management technique’s but
at the time Sarah did not find this very helpful.
Mark refused any support for his anger management which Sarah feels led eventually to the breakdown of
their marriage. Sarah states that she feels in more control of her own feelings and has seen a noticeable
improvement in Jane’s behaviour over the past couple of weeks since Mark has not had face to face contact
with Jane. Sarah has identified that Jane has struggled with the breakdown on their marriage and the negative
emotional impact this has had on Jane.
7. What is the family good at?
Areas to think about - basic care, safety and protection, emotional warmth, stimulation, guidance and boundaries, and stability with
evidence. What are their strengths and what are their needs? Give evidence of how you have come to this conclusion
As Mark is no longer residing in the family home the risk to Jane is reduced as she is no longer exposed to the
fractious relationship between her parents.
Sarah is able to provide for Jane’s basic care. She was well presented and had appropriate toys and activities
for Jane to play with during my visit and managed Jane’s behaviour appropriately when she became
boisterous. Sarah feels that the 123 Magic Behaviour Management Course will support her in giving more
techniques on how to manage Jane when she becomes more difficult and is now ready to access Children’s
Centre support.
Sarah feels that Jane will thrive in School and is ready for the start day in September.
8. What is life like for the children and young people in the family? How do they describe their lives?
Areas to be think about - health, education and learning, emotional and behavioural development, identity, family and social
relationships, any caring responsibilities, social presentation and self care skills. What are their strengths and what are their needs?
Give evidence of how you have come to this conclusion – See guidance for more help on this
Jane appeared to be happy and content as she played with the toys and activities that Sarah had provided.
She shared the Playdough with Andrew and they giggled and laughed together as they made crazy models.
Sarah said that Jane seems more settled over the past few weeks and she has found her behaviour easier to
manage.
It is unclear whether Jane’s behaviour is linked to a diagnosis such as ADHD as Jane has not seen a specialist.
Sarah recognises that events may affect Jane’s behaviour and will follow this up with Hightown Academy
when she starts in September.
After observing Jane during my visit I feel that she is too young to make an accurate diagnosis for ADHD
although she did display some challenging behaviour which Sarah dealt with appropriately.
Jane was very open and confident with me and I had no concerns regarding her social skills which she
demonstrated.
I feel Jane needs constant reassurance that she is cared for with ample positive praise for her achievements to
ensure that she feels valued and loved. To be honest and open with Jane to ensure that she does not feel
responsible for the breakup of her parents relationship.
May 2015
5
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any support or guidance please contact the Early Help
Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
9. What is worrying you about this family at the moment?
Jane could easily become a pawn between Sarah and Mark and her emotional needs could be ignored. Sarah
knows that Jane has struggled emotionally but has noticed a vast improvement over the past couple of weeks.
Sarah has therefore identified the need to protect her daughter to ensure that she thrives and achieves with
protective parents.
I worry that Mark has not yet realised the impact that the emotional abuse on Sarah is then having on Jane.
CONCLUSIONS
What Needs To Change
10. What do the family/ parents / carers think needs to change?
Sarah and Mark need to agree how they are going to arrange contact to ensure that Jane is safe and thriving
in the care of both parents.
Sarah and Mark need to put Jane in the centre of all their arrangements in all aspects of their lives.
11. On a scale of 1-5, how do the family/parents/carers feel they are coping?
1 = I feel I am not coping at all these days
2 = Most of the time I feel I am not coping very well
3 = sometimes I feel I am coping but sometimes things get on
4 = most of the time I feel I am coping pretty well
top of me
5 = I always feel I am coping really well – things never get on
top of me
There is more information here about the parenting coping scale http://www.cevi.org.uk/docs/Parent_Coping_Scale.pdf
Sarah feels that Mark needs to accept the breakup of their relationship so that they can move forward.
12. What do the children/young people in the family think needs to change?
(think about all the children or young people in the family wherever possible)
Jane has a good relationship with her father and she said when asked that she enjoys talking to him on the
telephone. Jane was happy to talk about Mark and seemed accepting that he no longer lives in the family
home.
13. In your professional judgement what needs to change to address your concerns and improve the
children/family’s quality of life?
Sarah needs to maintain the behaviour management techniques that she has in place for Jane in order for her
to feel safe and secure.
Sarah needs to ensure that Mark does not have contact with Jane if he talks about Sarah negatively in front of
Jane or encourage Jane to misbehave whilst in the care of Sarah.
Sarah needs to ensure that she does not speak about Mark negatively in front of Jane and continues to
encourage a positive relationship between them.
Sarah and Mark need to ensure that Jane is safeguarded and is not exposed to any form of emotional abuse.
May 2015
6
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any support or guidance please contact the Early Help
Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
14. Have other agencies shared information with you about the
family as part of the assessment? What do
they think needs to change?
Planning For Change
15. What will you / your organisation do to assist/support the family in making positive changes?
Detail any initial actions you have identified and agreed with the family/child/young person as a result of completing the EHA


Support with behaviour management for Sarah to support with Jane.
Continue to support the family until contact is agreed, arranged and Jane is settled in school and her
behaviour is manageable at home.
16. Do you need other professionals or services to help support the family make positive changes Yes
If yes, do you want to:
Arrange a team around the family meeting
Please visit Request to arrange a TAF meeting online form
Get advice from the Early Help Support Service
(if ticked, please go to question 17)
Not applicable –my organisation can address the issues
(if ticked please go to the consent section)
17.
What issues do you want other professionals or services to address with the family?
18..
What services or interventions have the family had before? What worked and what didn’t?
May 2015
No
7
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Please submit a copy this form, together with any EHA action plan you have completed, as soon as possible
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/submit-eha if you require any support or guidance please contact the Early Help
Support Service at [email protected] or call 0300 126 1000 (option 1 then option 2)
Completing an action plan after this EHA is recommended. You can find an EHA action plan template on
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/earlyhelp or call the Early Help Support Service for advice on 0300 126 1000
(option 1 then option 2) or email [email protected]
CONSENT
Why do we collect personal data about you?
We collect personal data from you for the purpose of providing services to you and your family. These services can be provided by a
range of partner organisations which could include, but are not limited to:
 Relevant education professionals
 Relevant Northamptonshire County Council teams
 Relevant health professionals
We will use the information to identify and make referrals to appropriate services; to monitor our work; to report on progress
made; and to fulfil our statutory obligations and statutory returns as set by the law. The primary data owner will be
Northamptonshire County Council as the host partner for Early Help.
How NCC protects and uses your personal data?
All personal data we collect from you complies with the data protection principles, as stated in the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA)
and NCC’s Data Protection Registration with the Information Commissioner’s Office; for full list please check this website:
https://ico.org.uk/ESDWebPages/DoSearch?reg=165079
The personal data we collect may be held as an electronic record on data systems managed by Northamptonshire County Council
(NCC) or as a paper record. The records are only seen by staff who need the personal data so they can do their job. The security of
the data follows NCC policies on Information Management. We make every effort to keep your personal data accurate. If you tell us
of any changes in your circumstances, we can update the records with the personal data you choose to share with us.
We will keep the personal data for no longer than is necessary. Sometimes, the law sets the length of time personal data must be
kept.
Sharing personal data
So we can provide the right services at the right level, we may share your personal data within county council services or with
relevant organisations in line with NCC data registration, please see link above. Where this is necessary we will comply with all
aspects of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Your rights
You have the right to ask us to stop processing your personal data in relation to any council service. However, this may stop us
delivering a service to you. Where possible, we will do as you ask, but we may need to hold or process personal data to comply with
a legal requirement. If you find that the personal data that we hold is no longer accurate, you have the right to have this corrected.
Please contact the service holding the personal data or our Customer Services Centre for this.
Further information
If you would like further information about the personal data we hold or if you have a complaint about how your personal data has
been used, please contact the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Team, Northamptonshire County Council, County Hall,
Northampton, NN1 1ED; [email protected]
I confirm that I have read and understood the above statement. By signing this form, I consent to engage in the Early Help
Assessment process and access services identified as appropriate. I agree that, by using your services, I am accepting the terms of
this Privacy Notice and consenting to the collection, use, disclosure and retention of my personal information as described in this
Privacy Notice.
(to be completed by all family members including young people as appropriate)
Name
Sarah Green
Signature of EHAF assessor
Signature
Date
Sarah Green
01/08/2015
Sam Smith
Date
01/08/2015
If at any time it is felt that a child or young person may be at risk of significant harm, please immediately follow local safeguarding
procedures - email [email protected] ring 0300 126 1000 option 3, see
www.lscbnorthamptonshire.org.uk/reporting_concerns_home or if out of hours ring 01604 626938
May 2015
8