1 Overview
The Early Help service's progressive 'universal' offer is developed on the West Sussex Continuum of Need and the Healthy Child Programme's four levels of service. This means some services are open to all children and families, while other elements of the offer are more targeted and specialist.
The universal offer is available to all children, young people and families in addition to any targeted or specialist support that they may be receiving at levels 2 and/or 3.
If you require further information, please contact your local Early Help hub.
2 Level 1 (universal services)
Level 1 universal services are available to all children, young people and families.
From pregnancy to 2 years' old they include:
- an antenatal review by 38 weeks of gestation
- a postnatal review within 14 days of birth
- access to healthy child clinics
- a 6-8 week review
- a 9-12 month review
- infant feeding support and information
- a 2-2½ year review
- support to access 2 year-old free early education entitlement
- the offer of termly conversation with each early years setting
- support for early years setting from early years and childcare advisors.
3 Level 2
Level 2 services are available on a needs basis in addition to the level 1 universal offer.
From pregnancy to 2 years' old they include:
- referrals to other agencies/specialist services
- advice or support on an identified health need, such as emotional health, sleeping, weaning, medical conditions or behaviour (6-8 sessions, either 1-1 or in a small group)
- support from the Healthy Futures team for vulnerable children, young people and families with complex child development, health, emotional, and social needs
- support for young parents
- follow up support from attendance at A&E, minor injuries or urgent treatment centres
- targeted setting support from early years and childcare advisors, who will identify the needs of all children and review whether inclusion funding for individual children is needed.
4 Level 3
Level 3 services are available on a needs basis in addition to the universal and level 2 offer.
From pregnancy to 2 years' old they include:
- support from the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)
- advice or support on an identified health need such as sleeping, eating, continence, minor illness/accident prevention or behaviour (6-8 sessions, either 1-1 or in a small group)
- targeted setting support from early years and childcare advisors, who will identify the needs of all children and review whether inclusion funding for individual children is needed.
5 Level 4
Level 4 services are delivered in addition to the universal, level 2 and 3 service offer as part of a 'specialist delivery' offer.
From pregnancy to 2 years' old they include:
- targeted setting support from early years and childcare advisors for settings that have children who are looked after
- 1-1 support from the Youth Offending Service for young people aged 10-18 years who are subject to a court order
- health support for children and young people who are subject to a child protection plan
- enhanced Healthy Child Programme services to all children who are looked after
- 1-1 support or intervention with a child, young person or family where there is an identified health and safeguarding need, such as a child protection plan, child and family plan, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation (MaCSE) involvement, or the child or young person is looked after.
6 Referrals
GPs can access help and support for children and young people by making a direct referral. Please use the relevant form provided on the section linked below.
Information for GPs