CYP Now - Schools left unsupported by councils as early help referrals surge

Almost a quarter of early help referrals made by schools are being rejected by councils amid a “surge” in appeals to support families in need, a charity has warned.

Lack of early help support is a key driver of children missing school, experts say. Picture: Wavebreak Media Micro/Adobe Stock

Data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request shows that one in four early help referrals made between 2016 and 2022 were returned to schools without action.

The investigation, by charity School-Home Support (SHS), found that referrals from schools have increased by 156 per cent over the past four years, with thresholds for local authority intervention “so high”, that schools are left to support families who need more bespoke help.

Launching its Dig a Little Deeper campaign, SHS says that lack of resources and funding is likely to be the main driver for councils “returning for school action” an increasing number of early help referrals.

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