Coronavirus: Early Help teams provide support to more than 600 families during the lockdown

Shropshire Council’s Early Help teams have supported a total of 407 families during the coronavirus lockdown, offering direct support to more than 314 parents/carers and more than 145 children.

A further 226 families have been supported by the Schools Family Support workers.

The Early Help team have worked with 48 families that would normally receive this level of support from their schools and other agencies, and the Schools Family Support workers have offered support to 134 families from the schools’ ‘vulnerable list’.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“Here is another positive example of how Shropshire Council is supporting Shropshire residents, and in particular families and children. Everyone knows how testing coronavirus and the lockdown can be for families – adding to the pressure.

“The teams have worked innovatively to support families, parents and children, connecting with them over the phone, using apps for face-to-face support, hosting virtual family and professional meetings, and utilising different virtual tools to support and connect in ways that best suit the family as a whole and individuals within the family. They have also offered extensive support to other agencies involved with families.

“I am always really amazed at the extra mile our staff go to, to ensure families and children and young people get the support they need throughout this challenging time.”

Shropshire Council continues to deliver practical support – through the Community Reassurance Teams coronavirus Helpline number 0345 678 9028, which Early Help is aligned to and links with, to be on hand if any family coming through this route needs extra family support.