Early Help
Edgbaston & Northfield
Connecting families to the support and services they need
What is Early Help?
At Gateway Family Services, our Early Help service offers timely support to children, young people, and families when challenges first arise, preventing problems from worsening. Available to families in Edgbaston and Northfield, Early Help focuses on building resilience and providing practical, tailored assistance to meet diverse needs.
We work collaboratively with families, professionals, and communities to connect you to the best local support. Whether it’s managing debt, accessing housing support, or navigating early years care, our service is here to help you tackle life’s challenges and build on your strengths.
What Early Help Can Offer:
Supporting Families Through Schools
Collaborate with schools to support children by mediating between parents and educators.
Debt Management
Guidance to manage financial challenges.
Parenting Advice
Practical tips for handling family dynamics and fostering positive relationships.
Housing and Employment Support
Help with finding stable housing or exploring job opportunities.
SEND Support
Support for children with special educational needs or disabilities.
Community Development
Opportunities to engage in local activities and build connections.
Who is Early Help For?
Early Help is designed to support anyone facing challenges that may feel overwhelming or difficult to navigate alone. Whether you’re a parent seeking advice on managing your child’s behaviour, a family struggling with financial or housing issues, or a young person dealing with emotional well-being concerns, Early Help is here for you. Are you facing issues such as the following?
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Are you a parent needing advice?
- Struggling to manage your child’s behaviour or routines?
- Unsure how to support your child’s learning or development?
- Feeling overwhelmed with parenting responsibilities and not sure where to start?
Early Help can provide practical parenting advice and connect you with resources to navigate these challenges.
Are you a parent facing financial difficulties?
- Finding it hard to manage household expenses or debt?
- Worried about providing essentials like food or clothing for your family?
- Unsure how to access grants, benefits, or financial assistance programs?
Early Help offers guidance on managing finances and accessing emergency provisions such as food banks or benefits.
Are you a parent navigating housing issues?
- Facing uncertainty with your current housing situation?
- Unsure where to turn for help securing stable accommodation?
- Concerned about unsafe or unsuitable living conditions for your family?
Early Help can connect you with housing support services and offer advice to stabilise your situation.
Are you a young person struggling with emotional well-being?
- Feeling overwhelmed at school, home, or with friends?
- Unsure how to handle stress or anxiety?
- Finding it difficult to talk to someone about how you’re feeling?
Early Help provides emotional support and strategies to build resilience and confidence.
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Are you a young person looking for positive activities?
- Feeling isolated or unsure how to get involved in your community?
- Wanting to explore new interests or hobbies?
- Looking for ways to build friendships and develop new skills?
Early Help can help you find local activities and groups that match your interests and foster personal growth.
Are you part of a family dealing with complex challenges?
- Coping with health issues, domestic difficulties, or major life changes?
- Struggling to find the right services to help?
- Feeling stuck with multiple challenges and not knowing where to begin?
Early Help offers personalised support to address your family’s needs and connect you to appropriate services.
Do you have a child or young person with special needs or disabilities (SEND)?
- Seeking tailored resources to support your child’s development?
- Needing help accessing specialist services or education plans?
- Looking for guidance on advocating for your child’s specific needs in schools or other settings?
Early Help works with families to provide SEND-specific advice and access to the support you need.
How We Help?
At Early Help, we bring together a team of experienced professionals and experts dedicated to supporting families and young people. With years of experience, we understand the challenges faced by local communities and are committed to providing practical, tailored solutions.
Our strong relationships with local organisations, community groups, and support services enable us to connect families with the resources they need quickly and effectively. By combining our expertise with trusted partnerships, we empower families, build resilience, and strengthen connections within the community.
Personalised Direct Support
We provide tailored support to families through face-to-face interactions, phone consultations, email correspondence, and engagement on social media. This ensures families receive guidance in the way that suits them best.
Connecting to Local Services
Our team links families to local services, community groups, and activities, making it easier to access the right support close to home.
Community-Based Assistance
We ensure families can find and access essential resources and services within their local communities, creating a network of support nearby.
Specialised Support Connections
For families with specific needs, such as SEND support, we connect them to the specialised services that can make a real difference in their lives.
Building Community Capacity
By providing training opportunities and Early Help Assessments, we empower communities to strengthen their ability to support families and children effectively.
Strengthening Local Networks
We work to enhance the resilience and capacity of community networks, fostering an environment where families feel supported and connected to resources.
In 2024:
Families our family support workers have worked with
Families Supported in Fuel Crisis
Families Supported in Food Crisis
On the frontline: Gateway Family Services’ response to Edgbaston Early Help Demands
Dear Community,Some of you may have seen a recent article in the Birmingham Mail suggesting that the Early Help service, which supports over 15,000 of Birmingham's most...
Does Early Help Work?
Don’t just take our word for it—hear directly from the families and individuals we’ve supported. Their experiences and feedback showcase the real impact of Early Help, from overcoming challenges to building stronger, more resilient futures. We’re proud to share their stories as a testament to the positive difference our support makes every day.
Resources
We work closely with Birmingham Children’s Trust, Birmingham Forward Steps, schools, nurseries, the youth service, health, faith communities and active local organisations. If you are a family in need of support or a professional looking for additional support for a family, then please complete a Family Connect Form or contact the team.
Useful links
Explore a range of helpful resources and services through our carefully selected useful links, which can guide you to trusted organisations and community resources. Visit the links to learn more about the services available to you and your family.
Contact Us
If you or your family need support, don’t wait—reach out to our Early Help team today. We’re here to listen and connect you to the right services, whether you’re seeking parenting advice, financial guidance, or help with housing and employment. Together, we’ll work towards practical solutions that make a real difference.
Get in touch to find the support you need and start building a stronger future for your family.