Home-Start Bristol
& South Gloucestershire

There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait

Are you a Professional wanting to make a referral?

The best results for families are achieved through a partnership between Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire and other professionals such as Children’s Centres and Health visitors. Home-Start is a voluntary organisation and we can offer a flexible approach to individual families, based on their needs.

If you are a health visitor, family support worker, midwife, doctor, social worker or any other professional working with families and you feel someone would benefit from our service, you can make a referral on their behalf, with their consent. The family issues need to be suitable for a volunteer to support them with.

Things to consider before making a referral

Does the family live in Bristol or South Gloucestershire?
Do they have at least one child under the age of 5?
Would the family benefit from the type of support that Home-Start can provide?
Have they agreed to receiving our service? Is this the right time for Home start support?
Is the level of need suitable for a Home-Start volunteer to support?
Are there other services involved if the family has more complex needs?

If the family are interested in receiving volunteer support please phone us on 0117 950 1170 to discuss the family situation or complete the referral form.

Self-referrals

Families interested in receiving home-visiting or group support can also refer themselves using our self-referral form.

Referral Form and Information

Please fill in the form below to make a referral. The same form can be used to refer families for home-visiting or group support. You can also use it to make referrals to Dad Matters.

If you need help filling in the form or have any questions, please email admin@homestartbsg.org.uk or call us on 0117 950 1170.

Once we receive a referral, we aim to match the family with a volunteer within 4–6 weeks. We do not operate a waiting list, as support depends on the availability and suitability of our trained volunteers.

Notice: Our online referral form is currently undergoing maintenance.
Please use the forms linked below to make a referral and send them to admin@homestartbsg.org.uk.

If the referral is for one of our groups please say so in the email subject line.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Home-Start BSG Referral Form (PDF)

Home-Start BSG Referral Form (Word)

Home-Start BSG Self-Referral Form (PDF)

Home-Start BSG Self-Referral Form (Word)

Home-Start Bristol Leaflet (PDF)

Managing Referrals and Waiting Periods (PDF)

Visit the Privacy Page

What referrers say

“The needs of the family were met, and the family have started to access services, which is great. Your service has been fantastic.” .

Children’s Centre FSW

“Support was offered to my family very quickly and the volunteer was a great support to this mum and her children. There was lots of role modelling, which my mum has never had before. Mum looked forward to the visits and really worked at the plan which was put together by both mum and volunteer. I was kept up to date and informed when support was stopping as no longer needed.”

Health Visitor

“Thanks for the help you gave the family and for all the support you give the Health Visitor team. It’s wonderful that we are able to refer to you, knowing what great assistance you offer our families.”

Health Visitor

Next: Family Stories