Team around the family

A TAF usually follows an early help assessment Early help Extra support from the council for a family, offered before things reach crisis point. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for it. Read the full definition of Early help . The people who work with your child, such as the school, a health visitor Health visitor A health visitor is a nurse or midwife with extra training who works with families from pregnancy until a child turns five. They do the development reviews and you can contact them directly. Read the full definition of Health visitor or a family support worker, meet with you, agree a plan, name a lead professional and review progress at follow-up meetings. It is voluntary: it happens with your consent and it is support, not a child protection process.

It is normal to feel outnumbered in these meetings. You can bring a friend, relative or advocate Advocacy An advocate is someone who is on your side in meetings and helps you say what you want to say. Some advocacy services are free, and in some situations there is a legal right to one. Read the full definition of Advocacy , ask for the plan in writing, and say clearly what you think should be in it. In some areas the same meeting is called a team around the child, or TAC.