1. Early Help Support Panels

2. Early Help Support Panel
Case consultation for families who do not meet thresholds for
Targeted Early Help and Social Work​
The monthly Early Help Support Panels in each of the three localities form a part of Westminster’s collaborative approach to delivering Early Help across the City.
The meetings provide a place for practitioners and agencies working with children and young people aged and their families to discuss children, who are at a pre-referral level, within a wider locality based partnership.
The Panel provides case consultation for families who do not meet thresholds for Targeted Early Help and Social Work​.
During discussions the panel will consider the ‘whole family’ and will look for opportunities for partners to promote resilience and strengthen relationships within the family system, including the relationship between the parents, in order that they may co-parent with more confidence and resolve conflict in a way that enables their children to thrive.
To refer the following details will have to be shared: full names and date of births of all family members, including the full address. There is no referral form required, simply or call the chair of the panel.
The Panel requires the referrer to briefly outline the concerns and the family’s strengths – this can happen in person or via video call. The referrer must secure permission from the family first, however cases without consent can be discussed anonymously. 

3. Thresholds & Services - when to refer
high concerns
Tier 4
safeguarding /
child protection concerns
Tier 3
needs best met by a co-ordinated
multi-agency support programme
Tier 2
additional needs that can be met by a single agency
Tier 1
needs that are being met or can be met by universal services
Westminster
Access and Assessment Team
Westminster
Targeted Early Help Team
Early Help Support Panel
/ Organisations
/ Charities
low concerns
Universal
Services

4. Thresholds & Services – how to refer
Call or the
Access to Children’s Services Team
Tier 4
Access and
Assessment Team
Tier 3
Targeted Early Help Team
Tier 2
Early Help organisations
and charities
Tier 1
Universal Services
Refer by Multi-Agency Assessment
and Referral Form (MARF)
Refer to Early Help Support Panel
/ refer directly / Family Information Service
Search on the Family Information Service
/ open access

5. Westminster Children’s Services – Information and referral routes
Family Information Service
A free, impartial information directory for professionals and parents/carers of children and young people aged up
to 19 (up to 25 years for those with additional needs)
Early Help advice and guidance
Leslene White, Access Team EH Practice Manager is your point of contact for advice and guidance around possible Early Help referrals:
Young Westminster
Advice and support for young people aged
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer
The Local Offer website gives children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (up to and including 25 year olds) and their families, information about what support services the local authority think will be available in their local area.
SEND Front door
In the Bi-Borough (Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster), a service called the Front Door has been set up to get professionals and parents get any information and support you may need in relation to a child’s SEND needs.
Here you can also register children and young people on the Disabled Children’s Register.
Sophie Buckland - Short Breaks Front Door Co-Ordinator / /
Adult Services
Information and resources for people who need additional support to lead an independent life.
/ / text /

6. Westminster Children’s Services – Information and referral routes
Access to Children’s Services Team
If you are a parent, carer or professional and have immediate concerns about the safety of a child or young person you should contact the Access to Childrens Services Team (“front door”) without delay on: /
weekdays, outside of these times, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on
Targeted Early Help Team and School Attendance
All non-urgent referrals, which need a coordinated multi-agency support offer, including School Attendance referrals, will require a Multi-Agency and Assessment Referral Form (MARF) to be completed:
Early Help Support Panel
Case consultation and referral information/allocation for families who do not meet thresholds for Targeted Early Help and Social Work. Monthly Early Help Support Panels take place in each locality. Consent of family is desirable, no referral form is required. For an informal discussion or to refer please contact:
North East locality (2nd Thursday of each month)
Toni Sydney /
Peter Watt /
North West locality (3rd Thursday of each month)
Robbert van Heel /
Helen Chin-Fatt: /
South locality (3rd Tuesday of each month)
Jemmelle Griffith: /
Catherine Drake Wilkes: /

7. Family Information Service
Renewed website for family information
for children, young people, families and professionals
Includes the MARF referral process
Accessible in multiple languages

8. Referral Criteria for Targeted Early Help
Children not attending school regularly
Parenting capacity manifesting itself in significant behavioural issues
More than 10% unauthorised absence over last term, where school actions aren’t having an impact and absence relates to parenting incapacity
Children where impact of parent’s mental health, domestic abuse or substance misuse on behaviour and well-being will escalate family into safeguarding or care entry without further intervention
Fixed term exclusion of 5 days as direct result of parenting incapacity
Younger child where older sibling has been convicted of serious youth violence, supplying drugs, or is known gang nominal
Fixed term exclusion of at least 10 days in primary school or Year 7 as direct result of parenting incapacity
3 fixed term exclusions in primary school or Year 7 as direct result of parenting incapacity
Other children who need help
Children repeatedly (2 assessments in 1 year) assessed under section 17 or 47, but who do not subsequently require a child in need or child protection plan
A child who is permanently excluded and not known to other teams in Children’s Services
Children Missing Education (CME) – Referrals on these cases go to Access to Education Team, however if there are any safeguarding concerns they should come to Children’s Services
Young Carers
A child identified as a young carer following referral whose needs cannot be met through existing provision
Prevention of children and young people committing offences
Offending and Anti-Social Behaviour awareness work
Delivery of Out of Court Disposal Triage work in conjunction with Youth Offending Team

9. Locality Teams - Early Help and Social Work