For Referrers
We are open to new referrals for all three of our Honeypot Houses.
Any professional working with a young carer is able to make a referral to Honeypot. If you are the parent or guardian of a young carer please speak with a professional who knows your child, ask them to review our eligibility criteria and if appropriate, make a referral on your child’s behalf.
our referrals approach
Honeypot uses a clear and structured referrals process to ensure our services are safe, appropriate, and able to meet the needs of each child. Referrals are reviewed proportionately, with additional information, conversations, or onboarding steps introduced only where necessary to support informed decision-making and positive outcomes for children and families.
You’ll find further information and FAQs below relating to referring children to Honeypot, as well as links to our eligibility criteria and referral forms. If you don’t find what you need here and would like to discuss a potential referral further, please contact one of our house teams and we will be happy to help.
Contacting our team
Honeypot House Hampshire, covering London and the Home Counties.
Tel: 02380 890 002. hampshire@honeypot.org.uk
Honeypot House in Pen y Bryn, covering Wales, the West Midlands and the North West.
Tel: 01686 622 773. wales@honeypot.org.uk
Honeypot House Scotland, covering southern Scotland and the Borders.
email: scotland@honeypot.org.uk
Our Catchment areas
How to refer a child to Honeypot
Before making a referral please carefully review our eligibility criteria to ensure the child you’re thinking of referring is compatible with our service. Please also check that they live within the catchment area of one of our houses. If in doubt please contact us before completing a referral - we will be happy to advise.
When completing a referral form please take care to provide a clear and accurate description of the child and their home situation. This forms the basis of our onboarding process and is the foundation for our relationship with that child and family - the better we understand them, the better we can serve them and all the other children we support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to do anything further after making my referral?
Where necessary, we may contact you to discuss the referral if we feel there is insufficient information to make an informed decision. In some cases, where there is identified anxiety within the family, we may ask you to join a ‘getting to know each other’ meeting if it is felt this would be beneficial for the child or parent.
What happens when you receive my referral?
All referrals are reviewed through Honeypot’s referrals process, which includes consideration by a Referrals Board made up of senior staff. The Board assesses the information provided to ensure our services are appropriate for the child and that we can meet their needs safely and effectively.
Where necessary, one of our Operations Managers may contact you if there is anything further they wish to understand before the referral progresses.
If you have referred a group of children, and where appropriate, an Operations Manager will work with you to arrange a group onboarding meeting, usually conducted via Teams or Zoom.
If the referral is for a single child or sibling group, and where necessary, an Operations Manager will contact the parent or guardian to arrange an online onboarding call.
These conversations help families understand what Honeypot can offer, what to expect from our services, and what we ask of them, in a clear and supportive way. They also help ensure that our services are appropriate for the child, that the child is likely to benefit, and that their needs and behaviour are compatible with the group-based nature of our breaks.
What happens if a referral is declined?
If a referral is not considered suitable for progression, it will be reviewed by the Referrals Board. If it is determined that we are unable to offer a Honeypot place, you as the referrer will be informed of the outcome and the reason for the decision. You will then be asked to share this information with the child’s parent or guardian.
The large majority of referrals are accepted. The most common reasons for a referral being declined are geography (the child lives beyond the reach of our houses), or behaviour that may negatively impact the experience or safety of the child themselves or others attending our breaks.
Can I refer sibling groups?
Yes, sibling referrals are welcome providing each child meets our eligibility criteria.
Do you take group referrals from Young Carer’s Groups?
Yes, group referrals are welcomed from young carers’ organisations and schools. Please contact us at info@honeypot.org.uk to discuss before submitting multiple referrals.
When are Honeypot respite breaks held?
Respite Breaks are held at weekends and during school holidays throughout the year at each of our houses.
Will I need to provide transport to Honeypot breaks for the children I refer?
Honeypot minibuses collect and return children from a pre-arranged central pick-up point in their home area. Where parents are unable to assist, referrers may be asked to help with transport to and from the pick-up point if this significantly reduces the time a child spends travelling.
All minibuses are driven by experienced, MiDAS-trained drivers and accompanied by a chaperone to ensure children’s safety and comfort.
Can I book specific dates for the children I have referred to attend a break?
To meet the needs of over 1,500 children registered with Honeypot, breaks are planned and allocated well in advance based on group make-up, geography, and travel arrangements. Except for pre-arranged group bookings, it is not possible to book specific dates.
Can a child attend more than one respite break?
To ensure we can offer breaks fairly, children aged 5–12 are offered one respite break per year. There is no need to submit further referrals for subsequent years, as repeat breaks are offered routinely once a child is registered, subject to suitability and previous break reports.
Can I get feedback on how a break went?
We do not routinely provide feedback to referrers following a break. However, you are welcome to contact us if information is required.
how else does honeypot support young carers?
Alongside our residential Respite Breaks, Honeypot offers additional support to help young carers step away from their caring responsibilities, build confidence, and create positive memories.
Throughout the year, children can take part in special Memory Making Days out, spending time with other young carers and enjoying new experiences. We also provide access to our Wellbeing Fund, offering practical support when it is most needed.
Every Honeypot child receives a birthday card and a Christmas gift, helping them feel recognised and valued. Where additional support is required, we signpost families to relevant organisations and services to ensure they can access the right help at the right time.
