Family Start Programme
Family Start is a programme which provides an intensive home visiting service for families of newborn children.
The service is targeted at families with the greatest needs and whose social and family circumstances put at risk good health, education and welfare outcomes for their children.
The Family Start programme enables families with young children to access a comprehensive range of welfare, health, education and other necessary services according to their needs.
Family Start is:
For women who are from three months’ pregnant up to a time when their child is two years old. Family Start is able to stay involved with the family for up to 5 years.
- Targeted at the 15% most-at-risk families in the Auckland central area.
- Responsive and sensitive to the families’ cultural and social beliefs.
- A programme that is delivered to the care giver of the baby. There are also after-hours visits to ensure that the partner is aware of what is being done – this would be with the consent of the mother.
How does it work?
When a family has been assessed, a plan is put together identifying areas the family needs support in and tasks to be completed by the family and the Family Start worker.
The plan is to be reviewed every three months.
Families must consent to the voluntary programme before an ATWC Family Start worker becomes involved. Families are encouraged to participate and help in deciding the future of their lives.
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