They are potential leaders

Jo is laughing as she ushers out the group of boys who are hanging out in her office. The young men are back from a mentoring session run by Mangere Police. They talked about the 'power of choice' and spent time with role models.

They've just been to the park for lunch and a run-around while the sun shines in South Auckland. "They are at risk, but they are also potential leaders. There's more to them than their behaviour, so we can turn that around," says social worker Jo.

She is part of the team at the Student Services Centre, which resembles a modern clinic in the heart of the school grounds. It has facilities for two nurses, a doctor, a counsellor, a community liaison officer and a social worker, all under one roof.

One young woman stands out in Jo's mind. She ran away from home after being assaulted at a friend’s place, and had begun drinking heavily. She started seeing the school counsellor and Jo who worked with the family, brokering contact and keeping them informed so that they knew she was safe.

"She could easily have drifted, but she received help and has now gone back home," says counsellor Kathryn. Both agree that success for them is simply that "she's still here in school, she’s still with us".