Every year we talk to families, volunteers and professionals about the effect of Home-Start support. Through this vital monitoring and evaluation of our service we know that by supporting parents, Home-Start makes a positive contribution to family life and to the outcomes for children.

Through our network of home-visiting volunteers Home-Start can:

• Reduce family isolation and increase social support networks.
• Strengthen parent/child relationships.
• Improve parents' physical health and emotional well being.
• Help parents to appreciate the joys of parenting and improve parenting skills.
• Improve the home environment.
• Improve children's health, well being and development.
• Improve access to health and community services.

We also know that our success in connecting with families that other services find difficulty reaching or engaging with is valued by professionals.

Research shows:

• Home-Start is effective in connecting with, and remaining with, socially excluded families.
• Home-Start's informal approach is welcomed by parents who are reluctant or unable to take up other support services.
• Home-Start volunteers act as a bridge between families and the social and economic benefits and services in their community that they may otherwise miss out on.
• Home-Start works with socially excluded families to help empower them to access training and participate in community activities.

The Difference Home-Start Makes - a new guide for providers of local services

Home-Start volunteers

Home-Start volunteers are normally parents themselves and after a course of preparation they bring to a family their personal experience and considerable knowledge of the resources in their local area. Their support is non-judgemental, free and confidential. A volunteer visits a family, in their own home, for two or three hours a week, for as long as a family needs them or until the youngest child turns five. A volunteer helps build a parent's confidence so they can make positive choices about how to run their own lives.

Read more about home-visting volunteers

Support outside the home

For some families a home-visiting volunteer may not be an appropriate means of support. Home-Start can also offer family groups, post-natal depression support groups, healthy eating projects or special support for fathers. Social events and outings are also organised to bring local parents and children together.

The support Home-Start offers outside the home follows the same high standards as for home visiting support and is organised and delivered both by volunteers and scheme staff with groups set up according to the needs of a local community. From setting up teenage parents' support groups to working with the families of those in prison, Home-Start is constantly forging links and partnerships to broaden and strengthen its work supporting families.

Read family stories

How to refer a family

Working together to support families

Back to Top