Leeds is ambitious for its children and young people, with the aim of making the city the best in the UK for children to grow up in.
Central to our ambition in Early Help is a citywide, multi-agency commitment to providing effective, proportionate and high quality early help for children and families as soon as their support needs emerge.
We are guided by what children, young people and families tell us about what they find helpful. Well-established partnerships in the city strengthen our early help offer and enable us to meet families’ support needs within their local communities.
Our early help workforce is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people. We are a multi-disciplinary team of teachers, early years professionals, childcare workers, social workers, family support workers and practitioners. We work with families on an individual basis and in group settings, applying a Think Family Work Family approach.
In May 2022 Ofsted rated Leeds City Council’s children’s services outstanding. We are proud that the inspection report recognises our “well-established and extensive early help support” and “targeted support formulated with families to identify children’s needs and families’ strengths…children receive the right support and at the right time.”
Our provision includes children’s centres and Little Owls nurseries, based in communities throughout the city. Little Owls offers excellent career opportunities for dedicated childcare workers. Join us as a nursery assistant and you will have access to a comprehensive professional development programme and continuous support from a children’s centre teacher team.
Our colleagues say:
Becky, Family Outreach Worker
“I work with a team which is dedicated and passionate about improving outcomes for children and families. There are lots of opportunities to learn from each other and by working closely with other agencies and professionals. Children’s Centres are a welcoming place for all families regardless of background or needs and I love to see the positive impact of what we do.”
Katie, Assistant Day Care Manager, Little Owls Nurseries
“I started at the council 25 years ago as an apprentice. With council support I’ve moved up job roles and gained qualifications. Someone saw my potential as well as my struggles and now I’ve achieved my BA Hons in child and family studies. Now it’s my turn to share those skills and support others, and I thrive on seeing children, families, and staff believe in themselves.”
