Who can Home-Start help?
Home-Start Hampshire can offer support to anybody that has at least one child under 5 years old, or is expecting a baby. The regular support can be provided in the home, in a group, or occasionally both:
We support families for a variety of reasons:
- They may be feeling isolated, have no family nearby or be struggling to make friends
- They may be finding it hard to cope because of their own or their child’s illness or disability
- They may be struggling with the emotional and physical demands of having several young children
- They may have complex needs that can impact on the children’s wellbeing, e.g. domestic abuse, debt, substance misuse, poor living environment, etc.
Who can make a request for support?
Families can request support themselves by making a self-referral, or you can make a referral on behalf of a family provided you have their consent.
All referrals should be made using the referral form linked below.
If you have any questions about how to complete the form, or would like to discuss the referral before completing the form, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will aim to contact all families within 3-weeks of receipt of the request to discuss their needs and circumstances, and the support they would like.
Support is governed by the availability and suitability of volunteers. We will always give you guidance as to the current situation regarding volunteer availability.
FAQs
In the section below there are a series of questions. Click on the question or the + symbol at the end of the row to open up the answer.
Who can be referred?
It is our aim at Home-Start Hampshire to operate an open referral policy ensuring that support is available to any family who is experiencing stress or difficulty and who has at least one child under 5 years of age, or is expecting a baby.
Who can make referrals?
Families can refer themselves, or be referred to Home-Start Hampshire by any agency, e.g. health visitor, social worker, family support worker, CPN, educational professional, etc.
How do I make a referral?
If you are making a referral form for a family, it is essential that the family is consulted and gives their consent. Families must be informed of the content of the referral form and show their agreement by signing the form.
All referrals received will be assessed to determine whether or not:
- The family has willingly chosen Home-Start Hampshire.
- The referral falls within the remit of the scheme.
- The referrer needs to provide further information prior to a visit by a co-ordinator.
- The scheme is likely to have the resources to support the family.
What happens if a referral is refused?
If the referral does not fall within the remit of the scheme or there are insufficient resources to provide support, the referral and the referrer will be informed that Home-Start Hampshire can not help on this occasion.
What happens if a referral is accepted?
All referrals that are accepted for Home-Start Hampshire support will receive an initial visit by a co-ordinator before support is offered to clarify their needs and the support that can be offered. Home-Start Hampshire will then look for a suitable volunteer for the family and oversee the initial match.
Do you have a waiting list?
How will I be kept informed of the progress of the referral?
Referrers will be informed by the co-ordinator:
- When the referral has been accepted
- When support is offered to a family, i.e. they are linked with a volunteer or start to attend a group.
- An update will be sent following a family review.
- Support to a family ends.
A letter will be sent to the referrer at the commencement of support and at the end of support to a family. All other contact with referrers is usually made by phone. Referrers are given the opportunity to comment on the service offered by Home-Start Hampshire at the end of support to families via a referrers’ feedback.
How are volunteers matched with families?
The co-ordinator pays careful attention to matching volunteers skills and experience to the needs of families. Many factors are taken into consideration, including:
- The family’s needs.
- The volunteer’s aptitudes, skills and experience.
- Practical considerations: geography, transport and time.
- Mutual interests or life experience.
- What motivates the volunteer.
The success of Home-Start Hampshire support is dependent on the relationship that develops between the family and the volunteer, so co-ordinators make every effort to link sensitively and appropriately. The co-ordinator always accompanies the volunteer on the first visit to introduce the volunteer to the family and agree how they will work together. The co-ordinator will stay as long as appropriate to support the family and volunteer to get to know each other.
Do you have a confidentiality policy?
How long is support offered for?
Home-Start Hampshire’s aim is to encourage families towards independence so that the volunteer is no longer needed. The review process will determine how long the volunteer’s support is likely to be needed and clear plans will be made for ending the support in discussion with the volunteer and family.
Do you offer other support in addition to home-visiting volunteers?
Families can be offered support outside their home, which complements home-visiting support, for example, family groups and parenting information.
Families may be offered alternatives to home-visiting volunteers if it is felt to be more appropriate.
How are volunteers screened?
All volunteers meet the requirements of our personal specification. They are interviewed before being invited to attend a preparation course and will undergo a final interview before a decision is made by the co-ordinator about their suitability for placement with a Home-Start Hampshire family, or to provide support in one of our groups. We take up 2 references and a DBS check.
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