NSPCC Learning – What is early help and what is early intervention?

Early help and early intervention are forms of support aimed at improving outcomes for children or preventing escalating need or risk. Because of this they are also sometimes referred to as prevention or preventative services.

These services are part of a “continuum of support” and provide help to families who do not, or no longer, meet the threshold for a statutory intervention. ¹

Early help and early intervention services can be provided at any stage in a child or young person’s life, from the early years right through to adolescence. Services can be delivered to parents, children, or whole families.

The importance of helping families early is highlighted in national safeguarding guidance across the UK. However, the form services take varies between local areas, depending on local provision.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/early-help-and-early-intervention