A NEW interactive online guidebook has been launched to help show what works in early intervention to improve children’s outcomes.

The guidebook, by the Early Intervention Foundation, includes information about Worcestershire's Early Help Programme, which is working with families and children aged up to 19 to nip their problems in the bud.

In August last year Worcestershire County Council was chosen as one of the foundation's 20 pioneering places because of its substantial commitment to early help.

The county has since been working closely with the foundation and the 19 other local authorities to learn from each other about what works best for families and what is most cost effective.

Worcestershire's entry includes information about the newly commissioned organisations that are delivering early help to families in each of the county's six districts.

The first of these new contracts began in Wyre Forest in August 2013 with the final contract going live in Bromsgrove today (Friday, August 1).

Councillor Liz Eyre, county member for children and families, said: "This tool is a good step for improving early help services for children and families.

"It's great for us to be able to share our good practice as well as learn from other authorities about what works well to ensure children and families in Worcestershire get the help they need to nip their problems in the bud."