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AIMS OF HOME START NATIONAL INC
WHAT IS HOME-START? Home-Start is a preventative program, which supports parents and children by providing help at an early stage. Home-Start is a voluntary home visiting program, which began in Australia in May 1989 in Newcastle at the Family Action Centre (University of Newcastle). Home-Start offers practical support and friendship to families with children under the age of five years. HOW DOES HOME-START HELP? In many ways Home-Start fulfils the role of an extended family for some of today's parents who have become isolated from relatives and friends. Many mothers and fathers feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of life with small children. Parents with twins, several pre school children, post natal depression, ill health - or who are lone parents or new to an area - may particularly benefit. But all parents can go through periods where they doubt their ability to cope. Everyone needs a hand sometimes. Families may contact Home-Start themselves or be referred by health/community, social workers or other professionals. STRENGTHS OF HOME-START Home-Start schemes, through early intervention aim to prevent the risk of family break down, and to enrich the life of all family members. Where family issues are complex, the role of the Home-Start volunteer is complementary to that of the professional worker. Through the privilege of getting to know a family well, Home-Start volunteers can encourage the family's strengths while also developing their own, to the mutual benefit of both, and certainly to the long term advantage: of the children. Home-Start volunteers practice "being with" families and "working alongside" parents to help them provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
The Home-Start model was highly commended in the inaugural National Child Abuse Prevention Awards by the National Child Protection Council. Home-Start has also received a merit award from the National Institute of Criminology for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. 'Home-Start is simple, cost effective and succeeds because it builds on local community resources. It recognises that neighbours count, that everyone needs a friend, and that, given a chance, people will in fact reach out and connect with one another.' British Member of Parliament Tessa Jowell
HOME-START BUILDS STRONGER COMMUNITIES Home-Start volunteers are linchpins of society connecting the family and the wider community together thus creating capacity building not only within the family but the community as a whole. Home-Start is committed to Equal Opportunity Principles and this is reflected in Home-Start policies and procedures. Home-Start is vigilant that neither organisational structures nor institutional practices should deny equal access to Home-Start for any individual or group because' of ethnic origin, culture, age, gender or disability.
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Send mail to
karen@home-startnat-aust.org with
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