Introduce
What is early intervention?
Most families will at some point face an issue which requires a level of support, whether related to health, employment, poverty or other social problems. Early intervention ensures that help is offered to families as soon as problems emerge and before more complex difficulties develop. This reduces the likelihood of problems escalating and reaching crisis point while waiting for support.
Early intervention plays a crucial role in identifying children who may be showing atypical development and in helping to develop the skills and competencies that prepare a child for life. Disparities that appear in the early years can continue into school years and beyond.
The family largely shapes a child’s world in the early years. The success of any early intervention depends on effective engagement of families. The most significant improvements in outcomes result from supporting, empowering and equipping parents so that they are engaged in the journey of their children’s development.
Most people understand the concept that by taking a certain course of action at an early stage they can prevent bigger problems emerging later on, often saving time, money, and effort.
Develop
In many areas, early intervention is offered through an Early Help Strategy. Early Help focuses on coordinating services and addressing the needs of the whole family to ensure they receive the right support at the right time. Everyone has a role to play in providing Early Help and each locality has their own Early Help Strategy. The following video by Action for Children highlights the important role of Early Help:
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: Please choose questions that are most appropriate/relevant in relation to your own professional development as you reflect on early intervention:
– What do you see as the benefits and challenges of early intervention in your role?
– How well do you make parents aware of support and/or information that could benefit them?
– How do you identify infants and toddlers in need of specialist services, to ensure that intervention is provided as early as possible?
– Are you identifying effective interventions to target high risk groups at the earliest opportunities?
– What is one thing you could do differently to promote early intervention?