That is an easy route. I often do it in full winter conditions where the summit shelter is under deep snow. Perfectly safe.
There are two good ways from the western side, one from Wythburn and the other from Stanah (longer though). You can go up one way over Hellvellyn lower man to Hellvellyn (both routes join up before then) and double back taking the other route. There is a path lower down that links the two carparks up. The Stanah has a little bit of a carparkin place just off the road in front of the houses there. The village hall also allows for people to park there sometimes if the other spaces are full (likely in summer) but they do appreciate aa donation to the hall maintenance and that is only fair really.
Both ways up are nice. The Stanah one goes up stakes pass. The other one I don't completely remember it.
Just checked the map. Wytheburn is from the south and is very easy. I was thinking of the carpaark jst north of that called Thirlspot. You can walk from either carparks mentioned over Hellvellyn to the neighbouring one then back along the bottom. The one from Stanah goes over Raise, white stones towards Hellvellyn then doubles back to drop to Thirlspot and back. The Wythburn is an easier route and you can drop down to Thirlspot and back.
As you can see there are plenty of options from the West depending on the length of the walk you want. I also think that the Western approaches can be better. You get to see the Eastern crags of Hellvellyn by surprise if you like. Plus this side is really quite safe too. Avoid the gills though, leave them until he gets the bug and you can take him on tougher routes.
You can get a good idea of what the Wythburn path looks like if you have a look at Andrew Leaney's website.
The route that he did went from Swirls car park, which is the northern end of Thirlmere, up to Browncove, onto the summit of Helvellyn, and back down the Wythburn path, then through the forest to the Swirls car park.
Both Swirls and Wythburn car parks are Pay and Display but, if you arrive early enough, you may be able to park for free in the Coppice Station car park (nothing to do with trains or buses by the way), which is across the road from Swirls CP on the left as you drive north. Or, as Time To Go, says you can park in the layby further down the road towards Thirlspot.
