Derbyshire: Parents can seek help with new handbook

The quick-reference guide produced by Derbyshire County Council includes everything from parenting classes and nursery education to the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse and welfare guidance.

Called the Early Help Offer, it is designed to make it as easy as possible for families to secure assistance at any early stage.

Key partners - including all professionals working for organisations in Derbyshire Children’s Trust - will have access to the guide so they can quickly find helps for families.

This includes strategic health authorities, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), police authorities, local probation boards, youth offending teams, district councils, schools, colleges and third sector organisations.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, coun Kevin Gillott, said: “One of our key priorities is to help Derbyshire families achieve their full potential.

“We will also be issuing the guide to staff and partners who deal with families on a day-to-day basis, so that help is at hand where it’s needed most. We’ve got parents to test this so we know that it is user-friendly.”

Other specialist areas featured include activities for disabled children, living with teenagers – and finance and housing support.

Available online, with useful telephone numbers and web links, got to: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/eho