History of Home-Start
Home-Start Havant is an independent charity set up in 1983 by a steering group of professionals who realised that vulnerable, isolated families needed friendship, support and practical assistance to help prevent crisis and family breakdown. In March 2005, the Scheme became a charitable company limited by guarantee.
For ten years the Havant Scheme was the only Home-Start in Hampshire – now there are ten. This is an indication of the growth of Home-Start throughout the UK and abroad. The first scheme opened in Leicester in 1983 and there are now over 340 schemes in the UK, with further schemes working with British Armed Forces in Germany, Cyprus and Malta. There are also Home-Start schemes in many countries including Russia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia and Israel.
In 2004 – 2005 the Scheme supported 113 families with 231 children through a team of 66 carefully selected and trained volunteers who are all parents themselves. Twenty five per cent of families were also supported at our 3 Family Groups that offer a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating environment for parents and their children 46 weeks of the year.
2002 - 2004
From 2002 – 2004, a successful pilot project in a deprived ward of the Borough (Wecock Farm) saw a 440% increase in the number of families accepting support from Home-Start. The project also helped to increase partnership working on the estate and parents are curently involved on the Steering Group for a new Children’s Centre campus.
We are supported by Home-Start UK, the national organisation and follow guidance laid down in the Policy and Practice Guide for Home-Start Schemes. The guide offers model policies on Child Protection, Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and Complaints. The Scheme is reviewed by Home-Start UK against Quality Assurance Standards that have been developed in partnership with the Charities Evaluation Service. We also receive information, training and guidance from Home-Start UK.
Having been in existence for 22 years, the Havant Scheme is now firmly rooted in its community and has a multi-disciplinary Management Committee made up of local professionals and volunteers with relevant experience and skills. There are representatives from statutory agencies, business and the voluntary sector.
Funding
We generate our own funding from a variety of sources including local authorities, health service, education and charitable trusts. We also have an active fund raising group. The Management Committee employs the paid staff and is ultimately responsible for ensuring the Scheme is managed effectively, safely and ethically.
The day to day running of the Scheme is the responsibility of the Scheme Co-ordinator. Volunteers, who provide the service to families, receive initial and on-going training and regular support and supervision. All paid and volunteer staff including Management Committee members undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.
Strategy
Home-Start Havant is well known within the Borough of Havant for the effectiveness of its preventative work with vulnerable, isolated families. At present demand exceeds our ability to respond promptly and this situation is being managed by the use of a waiting list. For this unacceptable reason and others, the Management Committee, staff and volunteer representatives met in January and March to plan the way forward. We asked ourselves:
- Where do we want to be in 3 – 5 years time?
- What will Home-Start Havant look like?
- How are we going to get there?
- What are our priorities?
The results of these meetings gave us our strategic plan for the next three years; i.e. the future for Home-Start Havant.