The Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) programme began with a pilot in 1999 with 12 social workers in three areas: Northland, the East Coast and the Hutt/Porirua. From 2000 it moved into full operation.

The SWiS programme is led and financed by Child, Youth and Family and supported by the Ministry of Education and other ministries. The programme is run in partnership with service providers around the country who directly employ the social workers delivering the programme within schools.

The Government’s overarching goal in establishing the programme is:

“To enhance life outcomes for children whose social and family circumstances place at risk their chances of achieving good health, education and wellbeing outcomes.”

Currently there are 128 social workers working in around 320 low decile schools around the country.

For further information from the SWiS team at Child, Youth and Family email cyf_swis@cyf.govt.nz