Te Oranga, Child, Youth and Family’s new care and protection residence opens today (3^rd).

Located in Shirley, Christchurch, Te Oranga, which means "restoring wellbeing", will have 10 care and protection beds, an increase of three from the former residence, Kinglsea.

Seven young people from Kinglsea will move into the new residence in the following two weeks, leaving three beds available.

The focus of this residence, as with the others, is to provide a therapeutic environment for those who are probably society’s most troubled youngsters - therapeutic not only in its design and layout but also through the programmes being offered.

"The redevelopment will enable staff to better focus on individualised residential care programmes the young people here need so as to improve their wellbeing and prepare them for their return to their families and the community, "said Lianne Dalziel, Christchurch East MP, speaking at the launch.

"There are challenges for those working with children and young people in residential care - more complex issues, more difficult young people. The key to this new environment and the future of the residential services we provide is summed up in our vision "Safe environments, lasting change, " said Paula Tyler, Chief Executive, Child, Youth and Family.

"Let’s not lose sight of the young people. Working to ensure their long-term wellbeing is why we are all here. This new setting is the start of the journey for many into a new way of life, a departure from the old one."

"The framework we have for future residential service development is based on principles that include strong engagement with family and whanau, so that those links are maintained and strengthened. The delivery of services will be integrated across sectors. It is also vital that we focus more fully on the transition from residence back to the community, "continued Ms Tyler.

The opening of Te Oranga marks the final stage of the Department’s Residential Services Strategy to separate care and protection and youth justice facilities to acknowledge differing client needs.

Construction work began on the residence last October at the Kingslea Residential Centre, which had both care and protection and youth justice beds.

Young people under the youth justice system will relocate to a new youth justice facility to be opened in Rolleston, Christchurch tomorrow (4th).

For further information please contact Hilda Tait on 04 918 9115 or 029 240 4098, or email mailto:hilda.tait@cyf.govt.nz

The Department of Child, Youth and Family services currently has the following residences around the country, employing approximately 300 residential staff.

• Care and Protection North (Auckland) - 10 care and protection beds (to increase to 20 by early next year following redevelopment)
• Epuni Care and Protection (Lower Hutt) - 10 beds
• Puketai Care and Residence (Dunedin) - 8 beds
• Te Oranga (Shirley, Christchurch) - 10 beds

• Youth Justice North - 40 youth justice beds, 6 criminal justice beds
• Lower Youth Justice North (Palmerston North) - 30 youth justice beds
• New youth justice facility (Rolleston, Christchurch - opening 4th October) - 32 beds