Support anyone in difficulties at the outset (3)
I believe the answer is:
aid
'support' is the definition.
(to aid is to help or support)
'anyone in difficulties at the outset' is the wordplay.
'at the outset' indicates taking the first letters (the outset is the beginning).
The initial letters of 'anyone in difficulties' is 'AID'.
(Other definitions for aid that I've seen before include "Help or succour" , "Care, assistance" , "grant" , "Relief" , "assistant" .)