100 Tower Gardens Road, London, N17 7QA

Our Services


Volunteer Support

Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times.

Home-Start volunteers are trained to help them work alongside you to overcome the challenges you are facing. They work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us you need.

Home-Start volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and are different ages. They need to have the ability to listen with understanding, be non-judgemental, maintain confidentiality and be committed to the scheme and the families they visit.

Home-Start volunteers are matched with one or two families and visit for an average of up to 6 months (these are assessed and reviewed). Visits usually occur once a week.

Fund raising

Home-Start depends heavily on donations from people like you to fund our work with parents and children. Everyone needs help at some time in their life... please help us to make a difference to a child's life today.

The emotional, physical and psychological cost for children experiencing tragedy, hardship and neglect is immense and can last a lifetime. We believe that the best possible start in life for a child begins at home with their family, A nurturing, loving, stable family and home environment strongly determines a child's future life chances.

Each year we have to turn many parents and children because we don't have the funds to help them all. Help us make a difference today.

We also offer help and support to individuals or companies looking to hold fundraising events on our behalf. Please contact us

Volunteer Training

Home-Start volunteers are trained through a preparation course for volunteers that is usually held 1 day a week for 5 weeks.  This course offers potential volunteers the opportunity to gain knowledge, increase their confidence and recognise the reciprocal nature of volunteering. The course covers many issues related to families and includes practical and theoretical aspects such as
    • Child development & the importance of play
    • Home Visiting
    • Community support networks
    • Safeguarding
    • Listening skill
    • Values

    FAQ

    We will refuse a referral if it has been made to receive transport, cleaning or any other domestic work, baby sitting or child-minding services

    No, Home-Start Haringey, Hackney and Waltham Forest aims to provide support to families as soon as possible, but where there is not a volunteer available immediately the family will be advised of the situation. If support is unavailable for the foreseeable future, this information will be sent out to the referrer and the family.

    Volunteers provide continuous, regular support for a period of up to 6 months. These are assessed initially and reviewed periodically.

    Home-Start Haringey, Hackney and Waltham Forest aim is to encourage families towards independence so that the volunteer is no longer needed. The review process will determine how long the volunteer’s support is likely to be needed and clear plans will be made for ending the support in discussion with the volunteer and family.

    Families may be offered alternatives to home-visiting volunteers if it is felt to be more appropriate. For details of the services currently available please phone our office.

    All volunteers meet the requirements of our person specification. They are interviewed before being invited to attend a preparation course for one day per week over five weeks and will undergo a final interview before a decision is made about their suitability for placement with a Home-Start family. We take up 2 References and an enhanced CRB check

    We only restrict referrals where there is a lack of resources.

    If there is no reasonable prospect of providing a service, the referral will be returned

    We do not accept referral for families at CIN or above. We do not accept referrals as part of a step-down plan, or if the family have had a social care assessment or social care involvement in the last six months

    For each referral made a Referral Form should be completed.

    Before sending in a Referral Rorm, families must be consulted, informed of the content of the referral form and show their agreement by signing the form.

    All referrals received will be assessed to determine whether or not:
    * The family has willingly chosen Home-Start Haringey, Hackney and Waltham Forest Support
    * The referral falls within the remit of the scheme.
    * The referrer needs to provide further information prior to a visit by the co-ordinator.
    * The scheme is likely to have the resources to support the family.

    Please email us if you need a referral form or any more information.

    Yes, please complete a referral form.

    All referrals received will be assessed to determine whether or not:
    * The referral falls within the remit of the scheme.
    * You needs to provide further information prior to a visit by the co-ordinator.
    * The scheme is likely to have the resources to support your family

    Please email us if you need a referral form or any more information.