The Early Support Service

About the Early Support Service

Raising a family and seeing your child develop and grow can be immensely rewarding. Family life can also present many challenges and there may be times when you need some extra help.

Early support is about identifying problems as soon as possible and working with you to help you find solutions. It involves services such as health, education, and the council working together to help you get the right support at the right time.

How the Early Support Service can support you and your family

We will start with finding out about what is working well, what you need help with and agree how we can support you. Depending on what is needed we may support you on a one to one basis, small groups or through some of our other support programmes.

We are an inclusive service supporting families living in Kirklees who have children from pre-birth up to their 19th Birthday, or 25th Birthday for children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).

What we can support you with

Helping you to work together as a family
Encouraging better behaviour in your children
Building confidence in your parenting skills
Encouraging positive family relationships
Supporting parental relationships and reduce conflict in the home
Keeping your child safe
Helping you to manage your family routines
Working with your child around family and peer relationships
Finding out about other services who could help you

More information about the Early Support Partnership can be found in their leaflet (opens link in new window), you can also speak with your child's school (if they attend one).

Family support

This helps you to address challenges within your family. Family support is about working with you to get to the root of the difficulties you may be facing. The focus will be on supporting you to build on the strengths within your family and identify ways of overcoming those difficulties.

Group work programme

This helps you develop skills and knowledge on a range of subjects. These may include:

understanding your child's development from pre-birth through to teenage years
help with managing your child's behaviour
encouraging healthy relationships and understanding domestic abuse.

Family group conferencing

This brings family members and professionals together to help you identify solutions for the issues you are facing. It's a family-led process which aims to empower you to create your own plan which focusses on the needs of the child or children.

Activities and support for children and young people

Our Children and Young People's Team offers a range of activity and support programmes for children, young people and families on recreation spaces, in communities across Kirklees. We work out in communities with children and young people, run small group programs and work with individuals. On top of all that we offer opportunities through facilities at Little Deer Wood and Crow Nest Park.

Children and Young People's Team Twitter (opens link in new window)

Crow Nest Adventure Playground

This is a purpose built play space for children, young people and families located within Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury. It is open on weekends and school holidays, together with working with community partners to deliver a range of targeted support sessions.

Playwork@kirklees.gov.uk

Little Deer Wood Centre

The Little Deer Wood Centre provides a wide range of outdoor activities led by highly qualified and experienced instructors in beautiful woodland surroundings. Open all year round offering fun and challenging outdoor experiences to schools, colleges, youth groups, clubs and charities

Little Deer Wood Twitter (opens link in new window)

Duke of Edinburgh

Kirklees has an extensive Duke of Edinburgh program, for all those who take part, it is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. You just need to be aged between 14 and 24 and realise there's more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by. You'll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills and going on an expedition

Kirklees Duke of Edinburgh Twitter (opens link in new window)

Kirklees Duke of Edinburgh website (opens link in new window)

Kirklees Youth Alliance

We also work in partnership with Kirklees Youth Alliance to support community youth work providers. Find out more information on Kirklees Youth Alliance )(opens link in new window) . The Community Directory (opens link in new window) gives information about things for you to do.

How to get support

If your child attends a Kirklees school or early years setting speak to them, or any other professional you are working with, first. They know you and may be able to help you. If they can't provide the support, they will talk to us.

Visit Kirklees Safeguarding Children - Early Support Partnership (opens link in new window) if you are a professional who wants to make an Early Support Partnership referral.