More support for vulnerable children in Horowhenua
Otaki MP Nathan Guy is welcoming a new Children’s Team for Horowhenua, which was announced in this year’s Budget and will begin by July next year.
“Children’s Teams are a key part of the government’s plan to reduce child abuse and neglect. They will ensure all Horowhenua children get the support they need to thrive and achieve.”
“When a child is referred to the Horowhenua’s Children’s Team, professionals from a range of government agencies and non-government organisations work together to create a single plan of wrap-around support for that child.
“It’s about getting away from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, and setting out a clear and straightforward plan everyone can follow,” Mr Guy says.
Budget 2014 committed $16.4 million to implementing the Children’s Action Plan. By the end of June 2015, eight new Children’s Teams will be established around New Zealand.
“This follows on from the successful trialling of two children’s teams in Whangarei and Rotorua where they have supported over 100 children over the last year.
“We know that no social worker, health professional, NGO, or iwi can tackle the issue of child abuse alone. It is a community-wide issue and to be successful, it will take a single-minded focus on the child.
“This is about finding new ways of working and supporting those in Horowhenua who are vulnerable to break the cycle of abuse.
“In July engagement will begin with community groups and professionals who are interested in becoming part of the Horowhenua Children’s Team. We will be inviting local groups to register their interest and I’m sure local providers like Life 2 the Max will be interested,” says Mr Guy.
The programme will cover Levin, Shannon, Foxton and Otaki. More information is available at http://childrensactionplan.govt.nz/childrens-teams/faqs/