Extra Help for children and families
What is Extra Help
Extra Help is a form of support for children, young people and families. You can access Extra Help when a family needs more help than can be provided by one service alone. This is also known as Early Help. The Extra Help Assessment and Plan (Word 131KB) can be used by professionals to develop a shared understanding of a child's needs and coordinate support.
Extra Help provides a coordinated way of understanding a child’s needs, building on strengths and identifying what support may make a difference. The aim is to offer help early and prevent any unmet needs becoming more acute in the future.
Extra Help is based on working together with children, young people and families to create solutions led by the family by creating a strong network of support.
When Extra Help should be considered
Extra Help may be appropriate when:
- a need for support has been identified, and early support could meet that need
- a coordinated response would help improve access to support and lead to better outcomes for the child and family.
- a child or family has additional needs that cannot be addressed by a single service acting alone
Extra Help Assessment
An Extra Help Assessment is completed in collaboration with the child, family and professionals to develop a shared understanding of:
- what is working well
- what strengths and protective factors exist
- what worries or concerns people may have
- what support may be needed
- what outcomes everyone is working towards
The assessment should reflect the views, experiences and aspirations of the child and family. Where more than one child needs an assessment, these should be separate so that the individual needs of each sibling or child in the household are understood and met.
Extra Help Plan
An Extra Help Plan is developed with the family to identify:
- the child's and family's goals
- the support that will be provided
- actions agreed by professionals and family members
- who is responsible for each action
- how and when progress will be reviewed
The plan should focus on practical, achievable changes that improve outcomes for children and young people.
Who coordinates Extra Help
All families receiving support will have a ‘Lead Professional’. The Lead Professional is the main person that works with the family and keeps them updated, and they are responsible for holding meetings bringing everyone together, recording discussions in Extra Help assessments and plans, and making sure the plan is working for the child or young person.
How to access Extra Help
Families can access Extra Help through professionals who are already supporting them, including:
- schools and colleges
- early years settings
- health visitors and school nurses
- family Hubs
- community and voluntary organisations
- other professionals working with children and families
Professionals can work with families to complete an Extra Help Assessment where coordinated support would be beneficial.
Differences between the Extra Help Assessment and the previous Early Help Assessment
As Cheshire East moves to the Together for Families model, support is now organised through a clearer continuum of help, support and protection.
The updated Extra Help Assessment and Plan (Word 131KB) no longer includes an assessment for Targeted Early Help.
Family Help Assessments led by Family Help Lead Practitioners are responsible for Our Family Assessments and Plans to meet needs that required targeted or child in need support.
A referral for Family Help can be made through the Cheshire East Together for Families Integrated Front Door by completing a Multi-Agency Referral Form.
Early Help Strategy
The strategy builds on our existing work by:
- strengthening how we collaborate with partners to meet shared responsibilities
- responding to emerging needs
- providing early, effective support for children and families
It focuses on improving multi-agency working, by developing workforce skills -ensuring practitioners feel confident and supported to deliver timely, proactive help.
Early help leaflets for children, young people and families
Page last reviewed: 30 September 2026
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