Home-Start Havant

Any family with at least one child under 5 years of age may be referred if they are going through difficulties. With the family’s permission, mothers, fathers, step-parents and carers can all benefit.

Who can refer?

Anyone who knows the family can refer to Home-Start, e.g.,

• Health Visitor
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Community Psychiatric Nurse
• Zero – 11 Outreach
• Churches
• Pre-Schools
• MIND
• GP’s

Families can also refer themselves for support.

How to refer a family?

• Talk to the family about Home-Start and give details about how Home-Start can help.
• Ask the family’s permission to make the referral and complete the Referrals Form with the family.
• Let the family know that there could possibly be a waiting period due to the availability of volunteers.

What happens after referral?

Each referral is considered by the Scheme Co-ordinator and you will be notified when the family is contacted:

• A Co-ordinator will visit the family to make the initial contact and to talk to them about the support that is available.
• A volunteer, selected specifically for the family, will then be introduced and will visit each week to offer support, friendship and practical help.
• The family may also be invited to one of our weekly Family Groups if they would like to meet other Home-Start families in a group setting.

You will be notified when a volunteer is matched or when a family joins a Group and will then be kept informed of our involvement with the family. Reviews of Home-Start support are undertaken every 3-6 months or more often if appropriate.

The referrals form is available to download below.

Please Contact Us if you have questions or would like further information.