Early Help

At Bamford Academy we believe that every family deserves support when they need it. Early Help is about offering the right help at the right time, so that small worries do not become bigger problems. We work in partnership with parents, carers and local services to make sure children and families feel supported, listened to and valued. 

This page explains what Early Help means, how you can access support through school and the wider Rochdale community, and points you to trusted local resources including the Rochdale Best Start Family Hub app and Rochdale Borough Council’s Early Help pages. 

What is Early Help? 

Early Help is support offered to children, young people and families as soon as a difficulty appears. It is available to families with a child up to the age of 19 (or up to 25 if the young person has special educational needs or disabilities). 

Early Help can include help with: 

  • Mental health and emotional wellbeing 
  • Parenting and managing behaviour 
  • Healthy relationships 
  • Money, food and cost-of-living pressures 
  • Housing or practical family needs 
  • School attendance and engagement 
  • Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support 

The aim is always to help families stay in control of their own lives and to prevent difficulties from escalating. 

How Bamford Academy can help 

Your child’s class teacher, the pastoral team or a member of the senior leadership team are often the best first point of contact. Staff who already know your child can talk with you about any worries and help identify the right support. This may include advice within school, signposting to local services, or starting an Early Help Assessment if support from more than one agency would be helpful. 

Our approach sits alongside the school’s focus on the whole child, including the wellbeing work delivered through My Happy Mind and the sense of belonging fostered by our House System. You can also read more about how we support children’s personal development in our Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact statement. 

Rochdale Best Start Family Hub App 

Rochdale has developed a free Family Hub app (also known as the GM Family Hub app) to make it easier for families to find trusted help when they need it. 

The app: 

  • Brings trusted local and national information straight to your phone 
  • Gives clear guidance for every stage of being a parent – from pregnancy through to the teenage years 
  • Connects you to local health, education and community services 
  • Can be personalised with your child’s date of birth or due date for tailored advice 
  • Is available in 75 languages 

Download the app from your usual app store (search for “GM Family Hub” or “Family Hub”) and enter a Rochdale postcode to receive local information. Full details are available on the Our Rochdale Family Hub app page. 

Best Start Family Hubs 

Best Start Family Hubs across Rochdale provide a single access point to integrated family support services. They offer early help with social, emotional, physical and financial needs for families from conception to age 19 (or 25 for young people with SEND). 

Services available through Family Hubs can include: 

  • Midwife clinics, health visiting and breastfeeding support 
  • Parenting programmes and family relationship support 
  • Activities for children under 5 and for young people 
  • Advice on early education and free childcare 
  • Debt, welfare and cost-of-living support 
  • Mental health support for children, young people and parents 

Find your nearest Family Hub and current activities via the Rochdale Borough Council Family Hubs pages or the Our Rochdale Best Start Family Hubs directory. 

How to access Early Help support 

The best way to get Early Help is usually to speak to a professional who already knows your child - this could be your child’s teacher, the school pastoral team, a health visitor, school nurse or GP. 

You can also contact Rochdale’s Early Help and Schools Services directly: 

Telephone: 0300 303 8801 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.45pm) 

Full details and further guidance are available on the Rochdale Borough Council Early Help support for families page. 

 

Related pages at Bamford Academy 

You may also find these pages helpful: 

  • Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact – how we develop the whole child 
  • House System – belonging, teamwork and positive recognition 
  • Pastoral Care & Wellbeing – including My Happy Mind 
  • Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) – support for children with additional needs 

Useful external links