Family Start 

Family Start is an intensive home visiting programme for high needs families that focuses on improving children’s growth and health, learning and relationships, family circumstances, environment and safety.

Family Start helps:

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• Children grow strong, learn, stay healthy and have positive relationships

• Parents and caregivers to be more confident about caring for their child

• Families/ whanau create a strong and positive future for their child.

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Family Start whanau workers:

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• Visit weekly in the first few months and get to know the family

• Support families to keep their babies/children safe and healthy

• Promotes the new "Parenting Resources" during parenting education sessions to help families understand children’s needs at different ages and stages as they grow

• Help families work out what they want to achieve, change or improve, and make a plan with them to help them get there

• Offer ideas and encouragement, and help families solve problems as they work towards their goals

• Help families access resources and services in the community.

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Family Start is available in suburbs of Lower Hutt City and Upper Hutt City. Anyone can refer. Referrals are accepted from before birth, up until a baby is one year of age.