Home Link operates under an extensive code of practice which has evolved during 18 years of experience and is still evolving to reflect current priorities and concerns in the fields of family support, child protection, non-discriminatory practice, volunteer management, health and safety, employment and human rights etc.

Home Link works towards the increased confidence, happiness and independence of the families referred for our help.

We offer families a package of support which includes:

• Careful assessment of their needs by a Home Link project worker in liason with the referring agency
• Matching them with a trained and supervised befriender who will have weekly contact and respond to whatever and whoever in the family needs support
• Skilful and resourceful identification of other appropriate resources in their community and encouragement to use these
• Frequent contact with their Home Link project worker including regular reviews of their experience of the service
• Advocacy help, or support to speak out for themselves

Home Link keeps careful records and evaluates the work done with each family. Each annual report records statistics of families and volunteers worked with in the course of that year and the various funding bodies all require reports and statistics according to their funding criteria. The views of the families and befrienders themselves are recorded at the frequent review sessions which are conducted separately by the project worker.

The review process reflects the initial referral profile and the goals set for each befriending match, which are agreed at the outset with the family and the befriender and then assessed and adapted at each review. Reviews take place after the initial match at 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month intervals. In addition, befrienders have regular telephone and/or face to face supervision and support sessions with their project worker. The number of referrals taken is limited only by the resources available i.e. trained befrienders, staff time for support and supervision, expense budgets for befrienders.

Staffing

Home Link is staffed by qualified and experienced practitioners: a manager who supervises staff, ensure confirmity with all Home Link policies and procedures and implements the funding strategy; project workers who recruit, train and support the befrienders, receive and assess referrals and also offer direct help and support to the families; an administrator who ensures day to day efficiency in financial and administrative matters assisted by a clerical support worker; and a volunteer recruitment officer.

Partners and Colleagues

Home Link maintains close liaison with other appropriate voluntary and stautory agencies and works in partnership with relevant local organisations whilst taking a full part in the life of the local and national voluntary sector.