How you can help

Whether that’s a family, an iwi or hapū group, a community group or a local business, we’ve seen the difference this support can make to a child or young person’s life.

By working together, we can achieve so much more to build strong families and keep our children and young people safe and well cared for.

There are lots of people in the community who can give our kids opportunities, good experiences and be great role models.

Recently, Super 14 rugby teams opened up their training sessions to kids in care and their caregivers, giving them the chance to meet their heroes and encouraging them to chase their dreams. 

Many local businesses have also been willing to open their doors to help give kids a new experience – whether it’s a session down at the local rock climbing wall, tickets to a play, or work experience that might open up job opportunities for young people. 

Do you have something you can offer our kids?

To find out more about how you can be involved, why not contact your local Child, Youth and Family site to discuss possible opportunities.

We have many formal relationships with agencies and national groups, through protocols and memorandums of understandings. This includes agencies like education, health, police, corrections and the courts, as well as national organisations such as IHC, Women’s Refuge, Victim Support and the SPCA.

These agreements help guide the way we work together, and ensure we have a collaborative approach to help children and young people be safe strong and thrive.

If your organisation is interested in creating an agreement about working together you can contact the National Programmes Team at the Child, Youth and Family National Office on 04 916 3300.

We have recently introduced a new way of working with community groups, which helps families get the right support based on their needs and circumstances, and connects them with services earlier and in a more coordinated way.

Differential Response allows us to respond more creatively to families, and to work more closely with service providers in the community. We are working with these groups to support families that don't need our further involvement but would benefit from community based social services.

We have lots of information about keeping kids safe, and things children need to be safe, strong and thrive. We’re happy to talk to groups about protecting children, promoting the things all kids need or talking through issues or worries you might have about a family or child.

If you’d like someone to talk to your group, school or organisation, contact your nearest site office or call 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459).