Make a referral A wide range of different people refer families to their local Home-Start for support. We receive referrals from health visitors, GPs, social care and child care practitioners as well as those involved in mental health services, education, early years and probation. To make a referral to a Home-Start you should contact them directly. Find a list of all Home-Starts, along with contact details, here. Around 17% of the families we support refer themselves to a local Home-Start for support. We help families with young children through a combination of home visiting support, group support and social activities. We match the needs of the family with trained volunteers who provide emotional and practical support. Support is free, confidential and non-judgemental. Home visiting volunteers call by every week, for a couple of hours, for as long as the family needs support, or until the youngest child turns five or starts full-time education. If you are working with a family who you think could benefit from the support of Home-Start you should: Discuss Home-Start with the family – they must agree to receive support. Most Home-Start teams work with families with children under five. An increasing number of Home-Starts support families with a youngest child older than five, so you should still discuss the family with your local Home-Start. Check whether there is a Home-Start in your area and contact them to find out about their referral process. Once you have referred a family to Home-Start we will: Set up an initial visit with the family to discuss their needs Carefully match the skills and experiences of a volunteer to the needs of the family Introduce the volunteer to the family Let you know when Home-Start support starts and ends Keep you informed about progress Monitor and assess their support Find out more about how Home-Start supports families. Is there a Home-Start close to the family you are supporting?