How to get help from Home-Start

All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.

Support from Home-Start

Home-Start is one of the UK’s leading family support charities – its ethos is to help parents build better lives and better futures for their children.

Home-Start helps families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them. We support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. The benefits of our support include improved health and well being and better family relationships.

Home-Start wants to see a society in which every parent has the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life.

How to get help

Ideally you need to be referred to Home-Start by a professional, but you may self-refer by completing the Self referral form below. If you would like to discuss how we could support you please contact us on our email address enquiries@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk or by calling 07731 861598.

Once we have received your referral, a Home-Start Co-ordinator will offer an initial first visit to discuss your needs and let you know about the other services Home-Start Elmbridge offer which could assist you and your family.

The criteria for our support is:

  • The family has a child under five
  • They live in the Borough of Elmbridge
  • The family has a need and would benefit from weekly volunteer support or specialised support from our other services
  • The family has given consent for referral (if referred by outside agency)

If you are an agency/organisation and would like more information about our support or to discuss a referral with us then please email the office at enquiries@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk and someone will contact you.

Professional and Self-Referral Forms

Please click on the title in one of the boxes below to open up the form. Please note that all entries marked in red italics in this form are mandatory entries. You cannot send the form if one of these is missing.

If you encounter any problems submitting the online form please contact us on 07731 861598. Alternatively please complete a paper referral form

Professional Referral Form

    About this referral

    All referrals must be made with the consent of the family. Have you discussed this referral with the family prior to completing this form?

    I confirm that the family has consented to this application

    Services

    Which service(s) are you seeking?

    Select the service required

    About the Referrer

    Please enter your full name

    Please enter your job title

    Date of this referral

    Please enter your email address

    Please enter the organisation you represent

    Please enter a number we can contact you on.

    About the family seeking the service

    All items marked in red are required to submit the form.

    Please enter name of Parent/Main Carer

    Please enter a valid email address we can use to contact them

    dd/mm/yy

    Please enter their contact number. It may help if this number can be used with WhatsApp

    Please enter their postal code so we can check they are in our area

    Please enter the family's address here

    Emergency Contact Details

    An alternative contact to be used only in the event of an emergency while we are supporting the family


    Enter the contact name

    Enter the contact Telephone No.

    Other Adults Living with the Child/ Children

    Please enter the name of the partner

    dd/mm/yy

    Please enter details of any other adults in household

    Other Agencies

    Mandatory entry, answer yes or no.

    Please enter the name of the social worker

    Please enter a contact number if known

    Please enter the agency name

    Mandatory entry, answer yes or no.

    Please enter the name of the Health Visitor. If Health Visitor is Referrer, please type ‘As above’

    Please enter a contact number if known

    Please enter the agency name

    Please enter the name(s), date(s) of birth and Gender for the child/ children

    Please enter the name of the youngest child

    Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

    Please make a selection

    Please enter the name of the next youngest child

    Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

    Please make a selection

    Please enter the name of the next youngest child

    Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

    Please make a selection

    Please enter the name of the next youngest child

    Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

    Please make a selection

    Please list the names and dates of birth of any other children in the family

    Family Ethnic Background

    Ethnic Background

    Please tell us about the support you feel the family need and anything about their situation:

    Family Needs: identifying the areas in which Home-Start support can help

    Add any comments you wish to make.

    Family Environment

    Privacy Policy

    Please indicate your acceptance of our privacy policy which can be found here Privacy Policy (opens in a new window).

    Please read our privacy policy before submitting the details you have provided to us

    Self Referral Form

      Services

      Which service(s) are you seeking?

      Select the service required

      About your family

      All items marked in red are required to submit the form.

      Please enter name of Parent/Main Carer

      Please enter a valid email address we can use to contact you

      dd/mm/yy

      Please enter your contact number. It may help if this number can be used with WhatsApp

      Please enter your postal code so we can check you are in our area

      Please your family's address here

      Emergency Contact Details

      An alternative contact to be used only in the event of an emergency while we are supporting the family


      Enter the contact name

      Enter the contact Telephone No.

      Other Adults Living with the Child/ Children

      Please enter the name of the partner

      dd/mm/yy

      Please enter details of any other adults in household

      Other Agencies

      Mandatory entry, answer yes or no.

      Please enter the name of the social worker

      Please enter a contact number if known

      Please enter the agency name

      Mandatory entry, answer yes or no.

      Please enter the name of the Health Visitor.

      Please enter a contact number if known

      Please enter the agency name

      Please enter the name(s), date(s) of birth and Gender for the child/ children

      Please enter the name of the youngest child

      Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

      Please make a selection

      Please enter the name of the next youngest child

      Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

      Please make a selection

      Please enter the name of the next youngest child

      Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

      Please make a selection

      Please enter the name of the next youngest child

      Please enter the date of birth of the child dd/mm/yy

      Please make a selection

      Please list the names and dates of birth of any other children in the family

      Family Ethnic Background

      Ethnic Background

      Please tell us about the support you need:

      Family Environment

      Privacy Policy

      Please indicate your acceptance of our privacy policy which can be found here Privacy Policy (opens in a new window).

      Please read our privacy policy before submitting the details you have provided to us

      Home-Start Elmbridge Support

      At Home-Start Elmbridge we offer home-visiting support, dedicated carer support, support for Dads, specialised support such as crisis support, counselling and Over 5s project.

      Home-Visiting Support

       Trained and supported by our experienced staff, our volunteers offer one-to-one confidential, practical and emotional support to families and children in their own homes for a couple of hours every week, for as long as the support is needed, or until the youngest child reaches the age of five.  Our volunteers have sound local knowledge and may accompany or signpost families to access appropriate services and facilities, helping families to engage in their local community, become part of it and avail of all it has to offer.

      Carers’ Support Playgroup and Clinic

      An informal support group where parents and carers have the opportunity to discuss subjects relating to the challenges of parenting children with additional needs.

      Children can enjoy a range of activities including soft play, ride-ons and messy play, while Nikki, our Carer Support Coordinator is on hand to answer questions and offer help and advice to parents and carers.

      The group is held weekly on Fridays, including during school holidays.

      Under 5s Drop in Cafe

      A weekly drop-in cafe in a local venue for parents , carers and their little ones. 

      Parents and carers can enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and chat with other local parents and Home-Start staff and volunteers in a safe space about issues that impact their families.

      The group is open to families supported by Home-Start only and is held on Thursdays during term time.

      Baby Bubble post natal group

      A 7-week course run by our Carer Support Coordinator and Counsellor, in collaboration with Spurgeons Family Centre.

      The group provides vital emotional, social, and practical assistance to new parents/carers during the early stages of parenthood and helps to address common challenges such as isolation, anxiety, and the need for peer support, which are prevalent among new parents.

       

      Dad Matters

      Dad Matters Surrey exists to support dads to have the best possible relationship with their families.

      The Dad Matters staff provide 1:1 peer support to dads, to help build their confidence with forming a close bond with their baby; signpost and support dads to access services and information to help make sense of being a dad; and support dads with anxiety, stress and mental health awareness.

      Find out more about Dad Matters in Surrey

      Supporting families with children age 5+

      We work with families with children of primary school age and transition (5-13 years) in a range of ways, and use the approach they think will give them the best support. This includes:

      Parent Support Cafe  – a drop in café held on a Friday morning (term time only) in Esher. Open to parents with children aged 5 to 13 years old.

      Parenting Workshops – 4- and 10-week workshops for parents to help them with Challenging Behaviour, ADHD, ASD (see flyer on right of page)

      Advice & Support

      All our services are based around the principle that our staff and volunteers offer no judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and support.

      For more information about the Parenting Workshops, please contact:

      Carol Robins Over 5s Family Support Co-ordinator

      crobins@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk  07731 861598

      For more information about the Parent Support Cafe, please contact:

      enquiries@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk 07731 861598

       

       

       

      Parent Support Cafe 

      A drop in service for parents of primary school aged children and transition (5-13 years) who may have various challenges such as a child with ASD or other SEN, emotional based school non-attendance, family mental health issues and isolation.

      A free nurturing safe space where parents can feel listened to, connect with other parents, carers, Home-Start staff and volunteers.

      Friday mornings (term time only) in Esher.

      For more information please contact:

      enquiries@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk  07731 861598

       

      Counselling and Crisis Support

      Family Support Coordinators might identify families where additional or immediate help is required and refer them for crisis or counselling support.

      Crisis Support  Our crisis support provides immediate intervention to our most vulnerable families, often where there is no alternative support available. 

      Counselling Support – Our trained counsellor visits some of our families who need more specialised emotional and psychological support. 

       

      Useful Services and Support from Other Organisations

      Surrey-wide Advice Line

      Families with children from birth to 19 years old can call the Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line on:  0300 247 0025.

      ‘Surrey Children and Family Health’

      General Enquiries: t: 0300 247 0025  

      Option 1 = Health Visiting 0-4 yrs, School Nurse 5-19 yrs, Advice line, Children therapies, and Specialist services

      Option 2 = Community Paediatric services

      Option 3 = Immunisation team

      Option 4 = One stop (Referrals)

      e: scfh.contact@hcrgcaregroup.com

      9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

       surreychildandfamily.co.uk

       

      Health Visitor Support

      The Health Visiting team supports you and your family from the birth of your baby up until your child goes to school. This includes support for infant feeding and breastfeeding advice. 

      To speak to your health visitor call the Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line on 0300 247 0025

      Testimonials

      ‘I would like to thank you for all your support these last few months. I’m not quite sure how we would have coped without your advice, kindness and care… I would advise any parents/families to reach out and accept the help of ‘Home-Start’ with both hands!’

      Supported family

      ‘Brilliant service families and Health Visiting team could not do without. Makes a massive different to families’

      Referrer

      ‘It’s difficult to put into words what Home-Start has done for me. My co-ordinator was super helpful and supportive and found me a volunteer who changed my life in more ways than one. She was a great emotional support to me.’

      Supported family

      ‘Home-Start is an amazing charity and supports so many families in need of support. It is an absolutely invaluable service. We would be lost without it’

      Referrer

      Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today

      Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.

       

      Find out moreDownload application form