Early Support Offer

At Penn Hall School, we understand that family life can sometimes present challenges, and there may be times when children, young people, or families need a little extra support. To help at these times, we have developed our Early Support Offer.

We believe that by working together, we can better support children and families to achieve the best possible outcomes. Early support enables us to identify concerns as soon as they arise and put the right help in place quickly,  preventing issues from escalating further.

What Is Early Support?

Early Support (also known as Early Help) is about offering advice, guidance, and practical help to children, young people, and their families as soon as difficulties begin to emerge.

It can be provided at any point in a child’s life, from early years through to teenage years and aims to:

  • Improve children’s wellbeing and learning outcomes.
  • Support families to build resilience.
  • Prevent the need for more intensive interventions later on.

Who Can Access Support?

Our Early Support Offer is available for:

  • All children and young people attending Penn Hall School.
  • Parents, carers, and families who may need advice or support.
  • Staff and professionals working with children in our care.

What Kind of Support Is Available?

At Penn Hall School, we offer a range of support and can signpost families to additional services when needed. Support may include:

  • Emotional wellbeing and mental health support.
  • Behavioural and attendance support.
  • Parenting advice and family guidance.
  • Help accessing community or health services.
  • Support for housing, financial, or domestic challenges.
  • In-school interventions such as:
  • Youth Mental Health First Aiders
  • Early Bird – helping families understand autism
  • Teen Life – helping families navigate the teenage years together.
  • Referrals for advice around benefit and support

 

  • Food Bank access – practical help for families in need.

How to Access Early Support

If you feel you or your child could benefit from early support, please contact:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Susannah Bagshaw
Deputy DSL(s): Louise Foster (Family support & Attendance)
Email: sbagshaw@aatrust.co.uk

Email: lfoster@aatrust.co.uk 

Telephone: 01902 558355

You can also speak directly with your child’s class teacher or any trusted member of staff.

We may also refer families to Wolverhampton’s Family Hub service for additional guidance and targeted support.

Visit Wolverhampton Family Hub Family Hubs | City Of Wolverhampton Council

Confidentiality and Consent

All discussions and information shared are treated with respect, sensitivity, and confidentiality. We will always seek your consent before sharing information with other agencies, unless there is a safeguarding concern and a child’s safety is at risk.

Resources and Policies

Download our Early Support Offer

Our Commitment

At Penn Hall School, we are committed to supporting every child and family through strong relationships, early identification of need, and partnership working. Together, we can make a difference — ensuring all children are happy, safe, and able to thrive.