Gloucestershire's five key principles of the Graduated Pathway

This is a TEST PAGE and currently under development. All information is in DRAFT form and not finalised. This will be launched on 1st November 2026

Our model in Gloucestershire is to support families at the right time, through the right service and person, intervening proportionately to prevent worries from escalating. Children and young people can move across the continuum of need according to their circumstances throughout any period in the life. All agencies should strive for a seamless transition for families when need escalates or reduces. The presence of single or multiple combinations of factors, the age of the child and protective factors will all need to be considered when assessing the responses required.

We follow the Assess, Plan, Do, Review approach.

1. Assess — understand strengths, needs and what matters to the child and family.
2. Plan — agree what support is needed, who will do what, and when this will be reviewed.
3. Do — put the plan into action.
4. Review — check what’s working, what’s changed, and what should happen next.

The support provided is reflected in the identified needs:

Universal

Most children and families thrive with support from universal services such as schools, early years settings, health services and community organisations.

Response:

• Advice and guidance
• Access to community resources
• Universal education and health support

Earliest Support

Some children and families may experience emerging challenges that require coordinated support from more than one service.

Response:

• Early conversations with families
• Team Around the Family approach
• Earliest Support Plan / Individual Support Plan
• Lead Practitioner identified where appropriate

Family Help

Some families may require a more coordinated and intensive multi-agency response to address complex or multiple needs.

Response:

• Whole-family assessment
• Multi-agency planning and review
• Enhanced family support
• Education, health and social care provision

Family Help (children at risk of harm)

A small number of children and families require statutory intervention or specialist services due to significant or enduring needs.

Response:

• Specialist assessments
• Statutory services
• Child protection or safeguarding processes where required

The Schools White Paper 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reform broadly correlates to this continuum. 

For more information on the 2026 SEND reforms see The Schools White Paper 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reform - House of Commons Library

What Good Practice Looks Like

This approach aims to ensure that:

• children, young people and families feel listened to
• families don’t have to repeat their story unnecessarily
• support is planned with the family, not done to them
• the child or young person’s voice is included
• professionals share information appropriately
• support is reviewed and changed when needed
• transitions between services are planned and coordinated

Templates of Earliest Support Plans and tools to support your work can be found HERE: