Should I use Early Help service?

[Beanso]

Have a very difficult probably autistic (still undergoing assessment) DS14 who is frequently refusing school and today became violent towards myself and DH because we took his kindle away. He is quite happy to lie in bed and read all day instead of going to school. I contacted the autism service for advice and they got a clinician to call me. She suggested various things but one of which was to contact Early Help. Can anybody give me more information about this service? Are they linked to social services or a totally separate service? Anybody have any experience with them?

I work for Early Help and would highly recommend that you self refer if you need extra support.

Early Help is voluntary, if you don't want us there you don't have to but we can offer a huge range of additional support and for some of my families just having someone visit or at the end of the phone who listens is a comfort!
One of my mums just likes to offload during my weekly visit, her life is tough and she has limited support. She will often text too, which is all part of the service!

We are linked to social care but it's nothing to fear. I work closely with health visitors & social workers and they often have a wealth of information about services & suitable available for families.

We’re just at a loss how to get help with/for him as camhs won’t see him because he has an active autism assessment but the autism assessment seems to be taking forever. It sounds like early help could be a good resource but I don’t want to risk any complicated and unnecessary social services involvement

I found our worker really helpful and she was a massive support to us. She also managed to open doors that had previously been firmly shut (CAMHS , specialist school). She advocated for us when I was at a low point and couldn't fight any more. I wanted to keep her forever 😁

Saying goodbye is often tricky. Families get very attached to us (and us to them!)
I'm really pleased to hear you got some of the help you needed.

I had early help for dd who school recoded and attempted suicide twice. The woman we were allocated was lovely the process was a positive one.
Unlike a similar situation as you op. Suspected ASD 14 yo ds.
Caught with a vape and has had sex with his gf...
His allocated man suggested vaping was the least of my worries and he would provide ds with condoms.
He won't be entering our house a second time..
So ime pot luck op.

And good luck. Testing times with such a dc op.

Children’s services is a broad umbrella that contains SEN support, early help, social work teams and lots of other services. They are really helpful and can tap into all kinds of support. I wouldn’t be put off by their connection to social services.

ASk them. If they can help you then that's great. If you aren't suitable/don't qualify, then they will tell you that, but hopefully signpost you to somewhere who can help. But don't let fear of refusal stop you.

Just sat in expecting dd's new allocated female worker. Due at 1 30.. Got to 2pm and ddogs were crossing their legs so I took them out. Got a text at 2 20 saying she was outside and was I in!

No apology when I said I was happy to reschedule for next week.

GP has now referred us to early help. Anybody know how long it usually takes for them to get in touch? I'm so stressed about the whole situation, I can't stop crying. I know I need to be strong for him but it just feels impossible

New worker came to see dd. Dd told her about her equine course starting September.
What's that she asked..
Brought pen and pad but just sat holding them.
Hope you have more luck op..