Making an Early Help Referral

Before requesting Early Help, it’s worth checking if universal services (available to all families) can meet your child’s needs. You can explore options on the Local Offer.

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How to Request Support

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You can complete a Shropshire Family Webstar assessment with help from a professional, such as your child’s school.

Schools or professionals can refer using Shropshire’s online referral system ECINS. Your consent is needed before a referral is made.

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For more details, visit Shropshire’s Early Help page.

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All new referrals go through Compass (First Point of Contact), which ensures families receive the right support at the right time.

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Call Compass to book a consultation with an Early Help Social Worker or Targeted Youth Worker.

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Based on the call, support will be identified at one of four levels:

1️⃣ Universal Support – No additional help needed beyond everyday services.
2️⃣ Early Help Support – Light-touch support (e.g., autism advice, short-term help with education, health, or social issues).
3️⃣ Targeted Early Help – More specific support (e.g., Family Support, Targeted Youth Work, or EnHance programme).
4️⃣ Targeted Social Care Support – If concerns are significant, the referral may move to a Social Work Assessment under Section 17 of the Children Act (1989).

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