Overview of level two

The child’s needs can be met solely through your agency or by working jointly with another agency. Gain consent of the family to hold a Team Around the Family (TAF) Meeting and formulate a My Plan that sets out the areas that a child is experiencing difficulties in, the outcomes that they want to achieve and the actions that people will take to help them to achieve the outcomes for delivery and review.

“Children and families may need support from a wide range of local agencies. Where a child and family would benefit from coordinated support from more than one agency (e.g. education, health, housing, police) there should be an interagency assessment. These Early Help Assessments… should identify what help the child and family require to prevent needs escalating to a point where intervention would be needed via a statutory assessment under the Children Act 1989.”

- Working Together 2018

My Plan is a simple process and tool that can be used by an practitioner working with a child/ young person/ family where they have a good understanding of the underlying needs (usually informed by individual agency assessments/ tools). The My Plan should be undertaken holistically by the lead practitioner with input from appropriate agencies as soon as needs emerge that require additional support and should take into consideration the wider family context that may be contributing to identified needs. A My Plan should be developed with the family and should contain SMART targets that are reviewed on a 6-weekly cycle.

• Specific – Make outcomes specific and narrow
• Measurable – Define what evidence will prove a difference/ progress is being made
• Achievable – Make sure outcomes are realistic for the family
• Relevant – Needs on a plan should align with longer term objectives
• Time-bound – Set realistic but ambitious timescales, that prioritise the key outcomes for the family

Further support can be sought from an Early Help Co-ordinator by calling the EHCO Advice Line (01452 426644). Where needs include barriers to Education support can also be sought from the Education Inclusion Service through an Outcome Co-ordinator.