Home-Start West Somerset works with families with children under seven, offering support during their most challenging times. Support is provided in families’ own homes and during community group sessions such as BumpStart, Baby-Start, Dad Matters and SHINE – a support group for parents of children with SEN/medical needs. Home-Start West Somerset recruits and trains volunteers to visit families at home to provide compassionate advice, confidential help, friendship and practical support.
The West Somerset scheme is part of the Home-Start UK federation, which works with families in communities right across the UK. In the past year, Home-Start West Somerset supported 412 families, and in the year 2021-22, Home-Start UK supported 56,000 children in 27,000 families.
Montessori Global Education’s partnership with Home-Start West Somerset includes training a group of local community practitioners in Montessori principles and practice, to support them in delivering a child-centred approach. Practitioners are undertaking our Integrating Montessori Practice (IMP): Infant & Toddler Specialism (Birth-Three years) blended learning course, supported by a dedicated Tutor. We are gathering their reflections before, during and after the course to understand how it impacts their approach to delivering responsive, individualised family support.
