Working Together 2026 says that where a family would benefit from targeted support because of multiple or complex needs, there should be a multi-disciplinary Family Help assessment, and that safeguarding partners should have a single Family Help assessment that can be adapted to the child's needs (paragraph 144). It should be done with the agreement of the child and parents, take account of the child's wishes and feelings, look at the needs of the whole family, and build on strengths. It can be the basis for later assessments under sections 17 and 47.
KCSIE 2026 still uses the phrase "community-based Early Help assessment" for lower-level needs. It says that where children don't need statutory services, the DSL will generally lead liaison with other agencies and set up an inter-agency assessment, and staff may sometimes act as lead practitioner (paragraph 64).
Two points often cause confusion. First, it is voluntary: if a family says no, practitioners should try to understand why, but if there are concerns about significant harm, a referral should be made immediately (Working Together, paragraph 146). Second, an assessment is not a prerequisite for a referral to children's social care, although one that has been done should support it (paragraph 164).
Local variation. The form, its name and who can start it are set locally. Check your area's threshold document.