Northern: Children and Youth

Helping children/tamariki and young people/rangitahi to make positive changes in their lives and to strengthen their family relationships is an important focus for Family Works Northern. In addition to providing counselling and social work support to children and young people, including through the Social Workers in Schools programme, we also deliver a number of group programmes. Brief details are provided below. For more information please contact the Family Works Northern office nearest to you.

• Restore is a unique Family Works Northern programme designed for children/tamariki and/or young people/rangatahi and their families/whanau who have been affected by domestic violence (physical, sexual and/or psychological).
  
  It is focused on assisting children and young people to:
  - overcome the effects of domestic violence
  - develop effective non-violent techniques for resolving problems and/or conflict
  - learn about roles and responsibilities in building relationships
  - increase self-esteem.
  
  During the programme our trained facilitators ensure there is a safe and supportive environment in which participants can share and learn – using interactive, fun activities and role plays along with video clips to create opportunities for group discussion and the achievement of the programme goals.
  
  Restore consists of eight weekly sessions of up to two hours each. Both children/young people and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) attend. Extended family and/or friends may also be invited to attend.
  
  Restore is available in Waikato, Rotorua, Western Bay of Plenty, Eastern Bay of Plenty and Taupo.
  
  
• Choices is designed for 8 to 12 year old children and their parents/caregivers. It is aimed at helping foster positive family relationships and building social networks.
  
  Programmes are tailored to the individual needs of families with an emphasis on interactive and fun activities to help participants celebrate and strengthen their relationships with each other. Everyone involved is invited to share more about their relationships, communicate in positive ways and explore family dynamics and emotions. Strategies to help children develop friendships and make good choices when faced with peer group pressure is also a focus.
  
  Where appropriate, support people, such as teachers, are involved with the aim of encouraging the children taking part and helping to ensure the changes made are lasting ones.
  
  The programme consists of weekly two-hour sessions for nine weeks, with an evaluation at the end.
  
  Choices is available in Western Bay of Plenty.
  
  
• Choices with Fries has similar goals but is designed for 13 to16 year old children and their families who attend weekly two hour sessions over 10 weeks.
  
  Choices with Fries is available in Western Bay of Plenty.
  
  
• The Dinosaur School aims to build self esteem and social competence among four to eight year old children. It also helps young children to better manage their emotions and behaviour and form positive relationships.
  
  Discussion and role play is enhanced through the use of life-size puppets and videotaped vignettes, along with activities, games and colourful cue cards that illustrate key concepts. There are also homework activity books for the children to use between sessions.
  
  Children earn rewards for good behaviour, taking part in discussions and relating positively to others in the group.
  
  The programme's goals are to help young people learn about their feelings, manage anger, make friends, solve problems and do their best at school. Parents, guardians and teachers are encouraged to support the programme which is delivered through weekly two-hour sessions over 16 weeks.
  
  The Dinosaur School is available in Western Bay of Plenty.
  
  
• The Wilderness Experience is a four-day outdoor therapeutic programme designed to help young people experiencing difficulties in their lives to make positive changes.
  
  The camp , run by qualified outdoor instructors and a Family Works Northern employee, cater for groups of up to ten 11 to 17 year olds.
  
  Participants take part in outdoor activities that present numerous, achievable challenges designed to extend them and build their self-esteem and confidence. Activities include kayaking, waka ama, tramping and abseiling along with group discussions, sharing of daily duties and a focus on health and fitness. As well as deterring anti social behaviour and drug abuse, the programme encourages personal and group responsibility, and stresses the importance of education and career and the value of identify and culture.
  
  The Wilderness Experience operates out of a hut on the fringe of the Russell State Forest, overlooking Whangaruru Harbour, north of Whangarei.
  
  The Wilderness Experience, available in Whangarei,is open to any eligible person living in the upper half of the North Island.
  
  
• Also on offer in Whangarei are two programmes designed to encourage leadership and develop potential in young people. Young men or women identified by their school as having leadership ability are eligible to join the Leadership programme and attend one-day sessions each month over a year. A Mentoring programme assists selected young people to set and achieve life goals, also through monthly mentoring sessions held over a year.
  
  

For more information on these group programmes please contact the Family Works Northern office nearest to you.