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Families
How does a family ask for help?
Families may refer themselves to Home-Start, but very often it is their Health Visitor, Social Worker, GP or any other professionals working with the family. No referral is accepted without the family's consent.
Once a referral form has been completed, in consultation with the family, the scheme Co-ordinator will arrange to visit the family at home. She will also talk to the referrer.
If the referral is considered appropriate, and a suitable volunteer is available, then the family and the referrer will be informed that Home-Start is able to help.
The Co-ordinator will accompany the volunteer on their first visit to the family to introduce them.
Who can refer a family?
Anyone can refer a family to Home-Start, including the parents themselves.
Referrals usually come from:
- Health Visitors
- Gps
- Social Workers
- Teachers
- Playgroup leaders
- Other family members
A referral con only be taken with the family's permission. If the family do not want a Home-Start volunteer to visit, whatever the circumstances, then we do not visit.
A referral to Horne-Start will be accepted if:
- The family's consent has been obtained
- There is at least one child under five
- The family lives within the scheme's geographical boundaries
- There is a completed Home-Start referral form
- There is no perceived danger to the personal safety of those visiting the family
All information about the family is confidential, and will only be shared with their permission, except in the case of child protection concerns.