Referral Update - July 2026

Unfortunately, due to staff capacity we will be closed to referrals for volunteer support for the summer holidays (20th July to 6th Sept).  If we receive any referrals within this time we will delete the referral as we are unable to hold personal information for families we are not working with, in line with GDPR.

We will open for volunteer support referrals again on 7th September. 

Please note that we remain open to referrals for our Reducing Parental conflict and Own my Life programmes across all of Devon.  Digital volunteer support will remain open for families living in North Devon only.

Thank you for your support and understanding. 

Refer a Family For Support

A young girl in a wheelchair smiling, with a woman adjusting her clothing, beside a red SUV with an open trunk. In the background, another woman is retrieving luggage from the car on a sunny day with trees lining the street.

Who can be referred?

It is our aim to operate an open referral policy ensuring that support is available to any family who is experiencing stress or difficulty and who has at least one child under the age of eighteen. However, funding restrictions do not always make this possible, and as a result the availability of our service can change from year to year. For information about services currently available please ring our office.

Our Impact
Children sitting on a foam mat playing with balloons, with a smiling adult man standing nearby in a colorful playroom.

Who can make referrals?

Families can refer themselves, or be referred to Home-Start South & West Devon by any agency, e.g. health visitor, social worker, family support worker, CPN, teachers, SENDCO, PSA etc.

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

Make A Referral

Frequently asked questions

  • For each referral made a Referral form should be completed.

    Before sending in a referral form 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 South & West Devon.

    • 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.

  • All referrals that are accepted for Home-Start South & West Devon support will receive an initial visit by a co-ordinator before support is offered to clarify their needs and the support that Home-Start can offer.

  • No, Home-Start South & West Devon 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. The majority of families are linked within two months of referral, however on rare occasions families may be waiting longer than this, or be told that support is unavailable for the foreseeable future and this information will then be sent out to the referrer and the family.

  • 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 eight weeks and will undergo a final interview before a decision is made by the co-ordinator about their suitability for placement with a Home-Start family. We take up 2 References and an enhanced CRB check.

  • Referrers will be informed by the admin:

    • When the referral has been accepted or not.

    • When support is offered to a family, i.e. they are linked with a volunteer or start to attend a group

    • Support to a family ends.

    An Email will be sent to the referrer at the commencement of support and at the end of support to a family.

    All other contact with referrers is usually made by phone.

    Referrers are given the opportunity to comment on the service offered by Home-Start South & West Devon at the end of support to families via a referrers’ questionnaire.

  • The co-ordinator pays careful attention to matching volunteers skills and experience to the needs of families. Many factors are taken into consideration, including:

    • The family’s needs.

    • The volunteer’s aptitudes, skills and experience.

    • Practical considerations: geography, transport and time.

    • Mutual interests or life experience.

    • What motivates the volunteer.

    • Issues around culture, gender, background and disability.

    The success of Home-Start support is dependent on the relationship that develops between the family and the volunteer, so co-ordinators make every effort to link sensitively and appropriately.

    The co-ordinator always accompanies the volunteer on the first visit to introduce the volunteer to the family and set the ground rules for visiting. The co-ordinator will stay as long as appropriate to support the family and volunteer to get to know each other.

  • Volunteers provide continuous, regular support for a period of time consistent with a family’s needs. These are assessed initially and reviewed periodically.

    Home-Start South & West Devon’s 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 can be offered support outside their home, which complements home-visiting support, for example, family groups, outings, parenting information.

    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.

What Our Referral Partners Say!

Two men sitting at a wooden table having a conversation; one wearing a green polo shirt and black beanie, the other with gray hair in a black shirt, with a plate of cake in front of them. Shelves with dishes and a green plant are in the background.

“You are doing a brilliant job everyone I refer gives such positive feedback.”

Family of three, two adults and a child, walking on a paved sidewalk outside their house. The woman and man are swinging the child by holding their hands.

“Family have felt supported and told us that their mental health improved.”

Contact us to refer your client to us…

Refer To us