Principles and practice

Home-Start International and all the Home-Start partner organisations around the world are guided by the Home-Start Principles and Practice, agreed in Budapest in 2002.

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

In 1999, representatives of all Home-Start countries agreed to this statement of the aims, methods and organisation used by Home-Start around the world.

Home-Start International (H-SI) is an organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families with young children, primarily in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

1. Home–Start works with families who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties and who have at least one child of pre-school age. These families are offered emotional and practical, non-financial support in their homes by volunteers who visit, when possible, for as long as is necessary.

2. Home-Start is committed to the rights of the individual and recognition of the diversity within families. Home-Start respects the special cultural, racial, ethnic and religious traditions that make each family distinct and is sensitive to gender issues and people with special needs.

3. Each Home-Start scheme needs to work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by:

offering support, friendship and practical help to families with at least one child under school-age
primarily meeting families in their homes, where their difficulties exist and where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
reassuring parents that challenges in bringing up children are not unusual and emphasising the pleasures of family life
developing a relationship with the family in which the time and experiences can be shared and understanding can be developed; the approach is flexible to take account of different needs
encouraging the parents’ strengths and emotional and physical well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available within the community

4. Each Home-Start scheme has a special, local support structure of people who are committed to the Home-Start ethos and who may take responsibility for employment and implementation issues. They ensure that appropriate links are developed with other agencies involved in work with young families within the community. In some countries there are groups, who are unpaid, and called Management Committees or Trustees. No representative of a funding agency should chair any committee that is there to support the Home-Start scheme.

5. Normally at least one paid Organiser/Coordinator is employed who has relevant training and experience, and whose duties include:

the administration of Home-Start to ensure conformity with the International Statement of Principles and Practice
the recruitment, preparation and support of volunteers
liaison with other agencies working with families with young children
The initial visit to each family. Careful attention is paid to matching volunteers’ skills and experience to the needs of families
identifying, with the family and the volunteer, when the need for support is coming to an end and providing any necessary follow-up and evaluation

6. Organisers and volunteers are usually parents themselves or have had parenting experience. Volunteers are supported by Home-Start Organisers and other Home-Start volunteers and where appropriate by professional workers associated with the family.

7. All volunteers attend an initial course of preparation and receive additional information and support to meet nee

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