Due to an unprecedented increase in demand for family support services across Central Lancashire, Home-Start Central Lancashire has made the difficult decision to temporarily pause new referrals to our Home- Visiting Family Support Service.

Over recent months, we have experienced a significant increase in referrals across Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Preston. Many of the families being referred are presenting with multiple and complex challenges requiring intensive, longer-term support.

Our Family Support Team is currently supporting families at maximum safe capacity, with waiting times reaching our upper limit of 12 weeks. Whilst one member of staff is currently on maternity leave, we have already recruited a new Family Support Coordinator who is currently undertaking training and induction to help maintain and increase service capacity. However, the significant increase in demand means that referrals are currently exceeding the level of support we can provide without impacting the quality, safety and responsiveness of our service.

As an organisation committed to delivering high-quality, relationship-based support, we believe it would be irresponsible to continue accepting referrals that we cannot respond to within a reasonable timeframe.

We are actively recruiting new staff and volunteers and exploring opportunities to secure additional funding and resources to increase our capacity for family support and respond to the growing needs of local families.

To maximise our capacity for direct family support during this period, Home-Start Central Lancashire will also reduce its attendance at outreach events and community engagement activities over the summer months. This will allow staff and volunteers to concentrate their efforts on families requiring immediate support.

We recognise the impact this may have on referral partners and families, and this decision has not been taken lightly. We will continue to review capacity regularly and will reopen referrals as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

We would like to thank our partners for their continued understanding, support and collaboration during this period of exceptionally high demand.

We remain committed to supporting families so they can reach their full potential regardless of their starting point, and we look forward to reopening referrals as soon as possible.

Please check our referrals page for information of when referrals will reopen Here

Home-Start Central Lancashire

Thanks so much to The B&Q Foundation!

Today (29/09/22) We had a lovely visit from the excellent gents Bill and Paul from the B&Q Foundation who have sourced us some materials to help renovate our office! Everything from paint and gloss, to some extremely lovely plants!

We are so grateful and cannot thank them enough for their generosity!

Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II

We are all deeply saddened at the news of Her Majesty the Queen’s passing. The Queen dedicated her life to public service and supported so many charities throughout her reign. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Thank you, for everything you have done for our country, Queen Elizabeth II.