The Gateway Assessment programme, targeting the health and education needs of vulnerable children and young people, is making a huge difference, illustrated by this recent feedback from a mother to her child's social worker...

I want to say thank you for all the help and support you gave me and my children. Luke* is more settled and doing well at school, and more respectful towards us when we see him. Lizzy* and Alex* are more relaxed and less tearful. We venture out a lot more now when we have access visits with him and actually have good times again."

*names have been changed

Gateway Assessments are a joint interagency programme run by Child, Youth and Family, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, to support children entering care. The process involves a health assessment and an education profile for children entering care and others who are at risk. This gives us a comprehensive picture of their needs, and enables them to access any services or support they need, as quickly as possible.

The rollout of the programme is nearing completion - Gateway Assessments in Hawkes Bay, the final DHB area to come on board, get underway next month. As at 30 November 2012, almost 1300 children and young people had been assessed since the programme was introduced.

More information about Gateway Assessments, including case-studies and a breakdown of the types of issues that are being picked up, is available on our website

In the media - recent news items about Gateway Assessments

Fairfax national news - Scheme targets kids in care

Southland Times - Children in need get extra help

Taranaki Daily News - Assessments for needy kids lauded