As the UK’s leading family support charity we have extensive knowledge and experience of the issues faced by families and young children in the UK. Home-Start has been supporting families since 1973 and in 2010/11 we supported nearly 36,000 families and 77,000 children.

Our policy team uses this knowledge and experience to develop and respond to policy direction for the benefit of the families we support.

Home-Start’s policy team operates from our London office to:

• link the families we work with and the issues that affect them to Westminster, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly;
• ensure the Home-Start network of 327 charities responds to policy initiatives and new legislation;
• influence politicians to adopt policies which reflect the needs of families in the UK;
• contribute to government consultations;
• work with other organisations, where it will make our impact stronger.

A brief introduction to the 12 quality standards that all local Home-Starts and Home-Start UK work to. So no matter where in the country a family lives they know they will get the same quality of care.

1. Governance
Home-Start governs itself effectively and responsibly ensuring that its legal and financial obligations are met.

2. Strategic Planning
Home-Start maintains and improves the quality of its services to families by using the Home-Start quality assurance system. Plans are based on the needs of the communities they serve and on the Home-Start approach and ethos.

3. Managing Staff
Home-Start recruits and supports the right staff to achieve its mission.

4. Managing Volunteers
Home-Start works with its volunteers for the benefit of families and the volunteers themselves. Suitable volunteers are recruited, selected, trained and appropriately matched according to their skills and experience.

5. Managing Money and Resources
Home-Start manages its money and resources effectively.

6. Health and Safety
Home-Start makes health and safety a high priority by assessing risk and taking steps to maintain necessary safety measures.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation
Home-Start records and analyses data accurately to assess the impact and outcomes of its work. Monitoring and evaluation informs decision making and is used to shape and promote the services.

8. Promoting Children’s Welfare
The welfare and rights of children are central to all Home-Start support to families.

9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Home-Start demonstrates that confidentiality, dignity and respect are fundamental principles. Relationships with families are built within clear confidentiality and information sharing guidelines.

10. Supporting Families
Home-Start offers volunteer support to families within their own home. The service is focused on identified needs and is well managed and regularly reviewed. Support outside the home is established where there is an identified need and it complements the core work of Home-Start.

11. Working in Partnership
Home-Start engages with the wider Home-Start network and with local agencies and professionals in order to ensure best practice in family support.

12. Additional Services
Home-Start ensures that any additional service maintains the Home-Start ethos and is focused on the provision of high quality support to families.

Need further information? Email us.

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