About Home-Start

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age.

About Home-Start Perth and Kinross

We believe that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents and carers play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them to achieve their potential.

We provide a unique service; recruiting and training volunteers who themselves have parenting experience, to work with families in their own homes, building supportive relationship and responding directly to the family’s individual needs.

A network of Home-Start schemes throughout the UK offer support within local areas, to help children to get the best start in life. Each scheme is independently funded, managed locally and has the support of our national organisation Home-Start UK.

 

 

 

We also incorporate Breast Buddies, a mum to mum peer support service for breastfeeding mothers.  The idea was conceived and developed by a group of NHS breastfeeding support volunteers who are also local mums. The idea was to develop peer support for breastfeeding (a concept that we know works to help mums feel better about breastfeeding and breastfeed for longer) in Perth and Kinross, providing more appropriate training and ongoing support and supervision for volunteers.   We currently have 9 face to face groups, 1-2-1 text support, a closed Facebook group and WhatsApp support groups.  To find out more go to https://homestartperthandkinross.org.uk/about-breast-buddies/

Helping families in Perth and Kinross since 1984

Families helped

Children supported

Volunteers

What we do

Home Start Perth and Kinross are a small, friendly team and we offer parent to parent support to anyone that has children under the age of 5 and is struggling with the pressures of modern parenting.  We have an amazing team of trained volunteers who home visit for up to 2 hours a week and can help with looking after children, helping families attend appointments and groups or just be there to chat and listen – whatever the family needs.

Areas we cover

Home-Start Perth serves Perth City, Scone, Methven, Stanley, Carse of Gowrie, Bridge of Earn, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie area, Crieff, Kinross and Highland.

About Breast Buddies

About Breast Buddies

Breast Buddies - who are we and how did we get here? The idea for Breast Buddies, a mum to mum peer support service for breastfeeding mothers, was...

read more

 Current Vacancies

Thrive Early Coordinators

**We are hiring**
2 x Full Time roles in Perth and Kinrosss and Highland Perthshire
Thrive Early Coordinator
The role is initially funded until 31st March 2027 with anticipated funding until March 2030. 
Full Time (35 Hours per week) – £31,012 per annum
Closing Date – Friday 6th November at Midday
 
To apply please email info@homestartpk.org.uk for an application pack
 
The Thrive Early Co-ordinator is responsible for delivering seamless, holistic support to families in close partnership with Citizens Advice colleagues and other project partners.  The role focuses on building trusted relationships with families who may be experiencing significant barriers to engaging with services. Particular focus will be given to connecting with groups of families that feel under served in your communities. Establishing trust, confidence, and sustained engagement is a critical part of the role.
Co-ordinators will create engaging spaces for families to reach into, in local communities. They will work with families over the medium to long term, providing tailored emotional and practical support to help them move towards greater family wellbeing. They will engage with project partners and the wider sector to ensure that all families receive the right support, at the right time – and that transitions between services are seamless.
The postholder will also work collaboratively with Save the Children UK to support family participation activities and ensure that lived experience informs service improvement and project learning.
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Key Responsibilities
The postholder will:
Provide support for families
• Receiving referrals and assess needs of families alongside Thrive Early Advisors.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with priority family groups through consistent and compassionate engagement.
• Introducing families to appropriate support.
• Ensure services for each family are designed collaboratively, including 1:1 support, drop-in Hubs, group work (such as Baby Massage, peep, Circle of Security, etc.)
• Ensuring support to families is reviewed at regular intervals and at the end of Home-Start support, in line with current Home-Start guidance
• To undertake designated responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.
• Embed participation activities with families as part of the service delivery model.
• Assist in arranging interviews, feedback sessions, and other engagement opportunities that contribute to capturing lived experience.
 
Work in partnership
• Ensuring appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals
• Proactively engage with partner organisations and referral agencies to identify and support eligible families.
• Networking appropriately within the community.
• Work collaboratively with Home-Start colleagues and other partner agencies to coordinate whole-family support.
Support the work of the organisation
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case records in accordance with organisational policies and project requirements.
• Contributing to and supporting the development of the Home-Start network locally, regionally and nationally.
• Monitor outcomes and contribute to project reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities.
• To contribute to the effective day to day operation of the organisation in accordance with the Home-Start Memorandum & Articles of Association, Home-Start,
Standards & Methods of Practice, Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance Standards.
• To maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within the Home-Start model
• To ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects of the scheme’s work.
• Implement good safeguarding practice in all areas of work
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.
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Person Profile
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• Strong experience in whole family support.
• Strong knowledge of the needs of babies and young children.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals or families facing complex challenges.
• A compassionate, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach.
• The ability to manage a caseload while maintaining high-quality records and outcomes.
• Strong partnership-working and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• A commitment to reducing child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families.
 
To apply please email info@homestartpk.org.uk for an application pack

 

Family Support Volunteer

We are currently recruiting volunteers.  If you can spare up to 2 hours a week whether it be during the day or in the evening and are interested in supporting local families.  To find out more please email info@homestartpk.org.uk 

Our volunteers help families by providing support either in the home or emotionally. We offer full training and each volunteer has a coordinator who is there to help and support them all the way. We pay travel expenses and offer many training opportunities to add to your skills and experience. We encourage people from all walks of life, age, ethnicity and gender to apply as the families needing support are very diverse.

Our next training course starts in early 2026, there will be some online learning and a face to face training course which candidates must attend.

A Home-Start volunteer should:

Be a parent or have parenting experience.

Be prepared to undertake the Home-Start preparation training course.

Understand why families may need support from Home-Start.

Have a knowledge of child development or willingness to undertake training.

Have a positive, non-judgmental attitude to working with people of any gender, family status or sexual identity, or who are from any ethnic origin, culture or religion, or who may have a disability.

Demonstrate a sensitive and caring attitude towards others.

Be clear about confidentiality and when a confidence remains so but be able to decide when disclosure of a confidence is essential to protect the well-being or safety of a child.

Have time and enthusiasm for Home-Start, be reliable and understand the importance of reliability to the family.

Have good communication skills including an ability to listen.

Have a warm and open personality and a sense of humour.

Be able to work as a member of a team.

Be prepared to keep records as required by the scheme.

Be prepared to attend group support meetings and ongoing or refresher training required by the scheme.

Be prepared to attend supervision with the Co-ordinator every eight weeks.

Our trustees

Our Board of Trustees, like other volunteers, give their time and experience to make our organisation the best it can be.

Our Board is responsible for setting the direction of our organisation, strategic decisions, governance, legal compliance and leadership. Working closely with the Manager and senior staff, Trustees are essential in the operation of our charity.

Anyone interested in bringing their skills and experience to our Board is invited to make contact to discuss any opportunities or to express an interest in future vacancies please email info@homestartpk.org.uk

We are delighted to be awarded the Quality Assurance award from Home Start UK for Governanace and Leadership within our Board of Trustees

Jamie Wishart

My name is Jamie, I got involved with Homestart through a work connection. I currently work at John Lewis as the regional manager for our shops in Scotland and North England. I live in Perth and I am passionate about making a difference in our local area, Home Start is a fantastic charity and I was keen to get involved and help the fantastic work that the charity does.

Helen Archibald - Chair

Helen is an experienced executive and non-executive leader with a background in legal, education and not-for-profit sectors. She has spent much of her career helping organisations and people navigate change and find clarity about what to do next. Helen became involved with Home-Start Perth & Kinross because she believes a child’s first years are the most important in shaping their future and that confident, supported parents give children the best possible start in life. As a Trustee, she’s committed to helping the charity continue to thrive and make a lasting difference in local communities.

Alex Hone
My name is Alex, I was first involved with Home-Start in 2021 as a social work student. This was a really interesting placement, I loved the work and working with the team at the Perth and Kinross service.

I qualified in 2022, and have been working as a children and families social worker in Fife since then. My work is varied and interesting, and working with children is so rewarding.

Services like Home-Start are a really vital resource for children and their families, this was evident during my placement but is also really clear in my current role. I hope that my experience in both roles will help me support Home-Start PKC as a Trustee. I was thrilled when Jill asked me to join and I and really happy to be involved!

Fenella Cowey
Hi I’m Fenella.  After moving to Perth with two young sons and no family nearby, I experienced first hand the invaluable support Home Start provides to families. That experience inspired me to give back to Home Start Perth and Kinross by becoming a Trustee.  My background spans years of experience across nursing, midwifery, family nursing, and health visiting, reflecting a lifelong commitment to supporting families and promoting health and wellbeing in the community.

I believe a child’s early years are crucial in shaping their future. Access to pratical and emotional support for parents in those early years is vital to enabling parents to provide their child the best possible start in life.

Home Start is a fantastic charity. Time and again  I have seen the benefits to families of having support from Home Start volunteers/groups/ resources.

David Brock - Treasurer
Hi, I’m David, after more than forty years working in senior positions across a wide range of business sectors, I chose to take retirement, but I certainly wasn’t ready to give up work completely.

I work with a number of charities, and Home Start offers a fantastic service provided by a great team.   As a grandparent I know just how tough it can be to look after young children, regardless of your status or abilities.  The team here work so hard, with such care and enthusiasm, I really couldn’t say no when they asked me to join them.

Our Staff

We are a small and dedicated team at Home Start Perth and Kinross.  We are based at 5A Atholl Place, in the centre of Perth.  We work well in a team and all pitch in to help each other and we pride ourselves on our friendly approach to families and volunteers.  Our door is always open for a chat.

Tanya Kerr - Finance and Business Officer

Hello, I’m Tanya, and I started with Home Start as a Finance & Business Officer in March 2025. I’m excited to be part of this amazing team that helps families in my community. As a mother of three, I’m kept busy outside of work! When I do get some time to myself, you’ll often find me tending to my garden while enjoying my latest Spotify playlist or unwinding with a good book.

Chirsty Morrison - Admin and Communications Officer

Hi, I’m Chirsty and I joined Home Start in March 2019.  I lived in London for 10 years working in Admin within the Television and Film Industry and moved back home to Perthshire in 2016 with my daughter Ava.  I’m really enjoying my post here at Home Start,  I love the variety of work, learning new skills and meeting new people.  I also run the social media and website which I’m really enjoying too!

Leanne Anderson - Family Support Coordinator

Hello I’m Leanne and I work for Home Start as a part time Family Co-ordinator. I have been working with Home Start since December 2018. I originally joined Home Start to become a volunteer and completed our volunteer prep course. My interests for joining home start came from being a kinship carer. Alongside home start I am currently studying my fourth year in BA (Hons) Social Sciences.  I am also a big animal lover so in my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my dogs and horses.

Katie Marshall - Family Support Coordinator

Hi, I’m Katie and I joined Home Start as a Family Support Coordinator in June 2021.  I am really passionate about supporting families and appreciate the challenges faced in the early years.  When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my 3 young kids, being outdoors and exploring new places.

Tammy Fleuchar - Family Support Coordinator

Hello, I’m Tammy and I am a Family Support Coordinator with Homestart.  I love everything Health and Wellbeing, especially when it comes to families.  I also run a Community Interest Company called Vitalityme CIC, where I teach Yoga, Pilates and all things Wellbeing.  Out with my wonderful work you will find me climbing the hills with my boys, with my head in a good book or whipping up some cakes in the kitchen.

Jocelyn Smith - Senior Breast Buddies Coordinator

Hello, I’m Jocelyn, one of the Coordinators for Breast Buddies Perth & Kinross.  I volunteered as a Breast Buddies Peer Supporter between 2017 and 2019 before managing the NCT’s Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies project.  I’m delighted to be back with team BBPK and helping to support breastfeeding families in Perth & Kinross.  When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my 3 children, reading and hillwalking.

Lauren Watson - Breast Buddies Group and Peer Support Coordinator

Hello, my name is Lauren and I joined the Home Start family in October 2022. My background is in Early Years Education and Childcare. Over the past 8 years I have worked closely with children and families, providing support and guidance around their child’s growth and development. I enjoy building new friendships and connections, spending time with my husband and 6 year old daughter, playing with my crazy cat and attempting to bake! I also enjoy socialising and getting to the cinema, theatre, and concerts when I can!

Helen Reid - Breast Buddies Dundee Coordinator
Hi, I’m Helen, Breast Buddies Coordinator for Dundee. My background is in Contemporary Art Curation and Programming, however I worked for Home-Start P&K between 2020-2023 when I undertook the role of BBPK Coordinator, after several years volunteering as a breastfeeding peer supporter. I’m now back working part-time as it’s such a brilliant organisation – I couldn’t stay away! I love helping mums to feel empowered about feeding their babies and parenting. It’s a real privilege to support women at this special, but often very challenging, time in their lives. When I’m not coordinating the BB Dundee service you’ll find me making exhibitions, workshops and writing about motherhood and gender equality. I treasure family time and love exploring the local landscape with my kids.
Kyle Baikie - Breast Buddies Dundee Group Worker

Hello, my name is Kyle and I am the Breast Buddies Group Worker for Dundee. My background is in Midwifery, and I was lucky enough to train as a Breast Buddies volunteer in 2022.  I enjoy working with women and their families and I am passionate about supporting women to achieve their breastfeeding goals. I know how important peer support can be for families and feel privileged to be part of such a valuable service. I have three young children and enjoy our family time outside of work. I am never too far away from another house or garden project and absolutely love the summer months to start growing plants in our little polytunnel. My children and myself love arts and craft, and we are often making jewellery, paintings, or crafting from clay.

Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today

Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Find out more