Referrals
Families accepting the offer of a Home-Start volunteer are usually referred by Health Visitors and Social Workers. Other referrals come from various workers in the field of health care (e.g. midwives, paediatricians, child and family therapists), and from other voluntary organisations. Increasingly, families themselves are asking Home-Start for a volunteer. Anyone can make a referral to Home-Start, having first obtained the permission of the family.
What happens next?
When a referral is received one of the Co-ordinators visits the family at home to find out what support is required. The most suitable volunteer is then introduced to the family to offer support, friendship and practical help tailored to the needs of the family. The Co-ordinator remains in contact throughout to review the progress being made.
For how long is Home-Start usually involved?
Some families will need to be visited for only a few months, whilst others will need support for much longer. As long as there is a need and at least one child is under five we are happy to be involved.
What about confidentiality?
It is most important that a family can rely on having privacy and respect. A volunteer will not divulge anything that a family discusses on a personal level to anyone except the Co-ordinator (during the volunteer’s one-to-one supervision). Only if there is concern about the welfare of the children in the family, and after discussion with the Co-ordinator, would confidentiality ever be breached.
How To Refer
Referrals come from many sources including Health Visitors, Social Workers, other voluntary organisations, counselling services, churches and increasingly from families themselves.
The form below should be used to refer a family to Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers. Please ensure that the referral is made with the consent of the family.
If you need help referring a family please call the office on Tel: 01923 248010.
