Early intervention means providing integrated support and services to children, young people and families as soon as problems emerge or when there is a strong likelihood that problems will emerge in the future. Early intervention is not just for young children: situations change and problems may emerge at any point throughout childhood and adolescence.

Youth workers, children's centre staff and education social workers will work with locality workers to provide this service. They also work alongside the Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP) staff, Connexions workers and community health professionals to form multi-disciplinary teams in each District and Borough in Dorset.

Please see the Early Intervention Manual (pdf, 4Mb) (opens in a new window)  for further information.

• Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

  CAF is a key component in the Every Child Matters - Change for Children programme. The aim of this programme is to ensure every child receives the universal services to which they are entitled and any additional services they need at the earliest opportunity.

• Information sharing

  Sharing information is vital for early intervention, to ensure that children, young people and families get the services they require. It is essential for safeguarding and protecting the welfare of individuals and for providing effective and efficient services that are co-ordinated around the needs of an individual or family.

• Lead professional and team around the child

  Lead professionals work with children and young people with additional needs who require an integrated package of support from more than one practitioner. It is usual for the lead professional to be supported by a Team Around the Child (TAC).

• Contact details

  Contact details for Locality Managers, Early Intervention Team Leaders and Administrators.

• Children's Services Locality Hub Development

  The Locality Hubs project forms part of the Early Intervention Services initiative which is focussed on providing joined up, locality based, front line children's services across council, health and voluntary sectors. This initiative will bring together staff and agencies who can provide better support to children and families by working together.

• Dorset Children's Workforce

  This workforce action plan supports Dorset Children's workforce. The workforce, the quality of their skills, knowledge and their ability to work in an integrated team are all essential to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.