Early Help information for professionals
Early Help provides children, young people and families with the right support, in the right place at the right time. By supporting children and families earlier, we can stop problems they are facing from getting worse and help them find the solutions that will make their lives better in the future. We can do this by working together, building on children’s and families’ strengths, and developing their capacity to make positive changes for themselves.
Early Help guidance for professionals
Liquidlogic Early Help Module
We use Liquidlogic Early Help Module (EHM) to record Early Help activity. EHM is a web-based case management recording system provided by System C, hosted by the Local Authority. All 'Early Help Assessments' and 'Team Around The Family Meetings' completed should be recorded on EHM to evidence support being delivered, the impact of this, and for the Local Authority to coordinate strategic support and service provision.
We encourage all professionals who work with children, young people and families through the Early Help approach to use this system, especially those in early years settings, schools and children's health services. Every provider should have at least one active user. We also strongly recommend that managers, leaders and designated safeguarding leads have access so they can support staff and provide case supervision when needed.
How can I apply for an Early Help Module (EHM) account?
To apply for an Early Help Module (EHM) account, you or a colleague within your organisation will first need access to Hornbill, the helpdesk portal used to request new user accounts, unlock accounts, and report system issues.
- If you already have a Hornbill account, log in to Hornbill.
- If you do not have a Hornbill account, or you are experiencing difficulties logging in, please complete the Hornbill Request Form.
Once you have logged in to Hornbill, select 'Support for the Early Help Module (EHM)' and then choose 'Create New EHM User' to submit your account request.
Following approval, our systems support team will contact you with your EHM login details. Initially, you will be granted read-only access. Access to edit records is only available after you have completed all the mandatory training. Details of the training and links to access it will be sent to you by email when your EHM login details are issued.
Early Help Module (EHM) login for existing users
Information for parents/carers
To assist your discussions with families, please signpost to our online information in this section of the website where possible. If this is not appropriate, you can provide them with a copy of our leaflet as an offline downloadable resource.
Early Help consent and privacy notice
Early Help is a voluntary process and gaining the child and/or family’s consent is crucial. When discussing the completion of an Early Help Assessment (EHA) with a child, young person or family, professionals should always share a copy of the Peterborough Privacy Notice with them, which outlines what information will be collected, how this might be used and how it will be stored.
Professionals should ensure the person providing consent has read and fully understood the Privacy Notice and agree to this before proceeding further with the process.
A young person aged 16 or over, or a child under 16 who has the capacity to understand and make their own decisions (Fraser Competence), may give (or refuse) consent for the assessment to take place. You should always encourage children under 16 to involve their mother, father or carer as appropriate.
As a Local Authority, we record all the Early Help Assessments completed with families on an electronic case management system called the Early Help Module (EHM). It is important that families know this and are aware how we use their information.