Keep in Touch Team
Keep in Touch (KIT) is a consent-based offer of telephone advice, support, and guidance to parents of children aged 0-19yrs or 25yrs for young people with SEND.
KIT work with children identified as at the Level 2 threshold for early help targeted support. The KIT offer is time limited and is currently 4 weeks.
Referrals to KIT are received either from the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (includes referrals made by professionals and self-referrals from clients) or stepped down Children’s Social Care or other targeted early help support services (with an agreed early help plan).
The KIT practitioner will carry out an initial telephone consultation with the parent to obtain consent, discuss the areas of need identified in the referral and, in partnership with the parent/s, agrees a plan to address the needs.
KIT work typically includes the following or similar:
- Emails signposting parent/s to local and national services that parents can access independently.
- Ongoing telephone/email/text communication with parent/s or young person to monitor the progress and outcomes of the KIT early help support.
- Completing referrals to local services.
- Advocating for parents and children - contacting services on their behalf, e.g. schools and housing.
- Drafting and sending supporting letters.
- Supporting parents to navigate often complex systems such as housing and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Liasing with key Services e.g. Probation, Police, Health.
- Face to face meetings where the support cannot be given over the phone.
Depending on the presenting needs the KIT practitioner may request a step up to social care (MASH) or across to a range targeted early help services. This would be supported by the team manager.
When all work is complete, and in agreement with the parent/s, the KIT practitioner will complete a closure summary/Early Help Closure and close the work to KIT.
