Are you a professional wanting to refer a family?

If you are a health visitor, doctor, social worker or any other professional working with families and you feel someone would benefit from our service, you can make a referral on their behalf, with their consent.

Please phone us on 01241 431131 to discuss the family situation and if a referral is thought to be suitable we will send you a referral form to complete and return or you can download a Referral Form below. The form comes in two formats, one is editable using Microsoft Word, the other is in a PDF format which you can print. 

We do not operate a waiting list: family support is governed by the availability and suitability of volunteers. We will always give you guidance as to the current situation regarding volunteer availability.

What happens next?

• We assess each referral to ensure the support required falls within Home-Start’s remit.
• We will visit the family to discuss their needs and tell them about Home-Start’s service.
• As soon as a suitable volunteer is available, the co-ordinator will introduce them to the family and accompany them on their first visit. It may take time for a volunteer to become available and if a suitable match cannot be made then you will be informed.
• We will let you know when Home-Start support starts and ends and may ask you for feedback about the impact our service had on the family.
• We will then identify a suitable volunteer whose skills and experience match the needs of the family. Depending on the needs of the family, we may offer them a place at one of our family groups instead of/as well as the support of a home-visiting volunteer

We will provide regular updates, within confidentiality guidelines, on our progress with the family.

Next: Volunteering