Somerset Early Help Advisory Service

We can help you support children at the earliest opportunity

To support early years professionals to provide appropriate intervention early in the life of a child by sharing knowledge, guidance and advice, and delivering high-quality training.

The right help at the right time is crucial for babies and children to thrive.

The Somerset Early Help Advisory Service (SEHAS) is a new service commissioned by Somerset Council and delivered in partnership with the Early Years Alliance.

We will focus our work across three areas, school readiness, children for whom English is an additional language (EAL) and children’s mental health and wellbeing, It has been recognised that good early years provision can make a positive impact on a child’s learning and development narrowing the gap and ensuring that children are ready for the next step in their learning.

Children living in poverty are more likely to:

have poor physical and emotional wellbeing
experience mental health problems
underachieve at school
have employment difficulties in adult life.

With child poverty now affecting more than four million children in the UK and rising concerns that the impact of COVID-19 has widened the disadvantage gap, early years providers should consider how they can play their part in supporting families who may be in difficulty.

We offer training, advice, resource sharing, signposting and joined-up working with various early help partners across the county to ensure providers have the skills and knowledge to provide timely early help (early intervention) to children and families in their care. To have a confidential discussion how we can help supporting a child’s needs and how to best move forward, please contact us directly:

To download our information leaflet, please click here

to speak with Louise who covers South Somerset and Mendip on 07398 254756 or 01392 304484 or

Sharon who covers West Somerset, Taunton and Bridgwater on 07562 685412 or 01392 304573.

You can also email us on earlyhelpsomerset@eyalliance.org.uk

If you have serious safeguarding concerns about a child or family then contact Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership:

Early Help Advice Hub: 01823 355803

Children’s Social Care 0300 123 2224

Meet our team

Sharon Bond — Lead Early Help Advisor

“Hi, I’m Sharon and I cover West Somerset, Sedgemoor, and Taunton Deane. I started as a childminder and pre-school manager and worked as an early years advisor, trainer and mentor for many years. I love networking and using my knowledge to help providers find solutions to their challenges.”

sharon.bond@eyalliance.org.uk / 01392 304573 or 07562 685412

Louise Campbell White — Early Help Advisor

“Hi, I’m Louise and I cover all of South Somerset! I love working in this sector with all of its variety, and really enjoy visiting settings and seeing all the inspiring play taking place.”

louise.campbellwhite@eyalliance.org.uk / 01392 304484 or 07398 254756

Emma May — Business Administrator

“Hi, I’m Emma and I am a Business Administrator for the Early Years Alliance. Part of my role is providing admin support for the Somerset Early Help Advisory Service.”

emma.may@eyalliance.org.uk / 01823 589619