A strength of Te Korowai Mokopuna (wrap the cloak around the child) is that no matter what issues a family faces, whether its poverty, housing, addiction, family violence, mental wellbeing issues, parenting struggles, or a combination, Kaimanaaki Whānau Workers (social workers) will work alongside some of the most vulnerable families for as long as they need support.

Providing integrated early learning and child and family services in one place, we work to reduce barriers to education, increase participation, model positive parenting, provide student programmes, and deliver social services. Te Korowai Mokopuna empowers whānau to raise tamariki who stand on strong foundations, with māiatanga (realising potential).

Kaimanaaki Whānau Worker, Kim, was working with Sally and her family whose youngest daughter attended a Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Christchurch.

Kim and Sally had worked through several challenges together:

accessing a foodbank
supporting attendance at professional meetings for a school-aged daughter
making referrals to a dietitian, community health, and Socially Speaking (Speech-language and occupational therapy services)
applying for a Protection Order
providing an invitation to attend a wellbeing coffee group with other women

Sally has a teenage son, Alex who was facing his own challenges. She asked Kim if she would be able to support Alex too.

Alex is a young trans man who is currently taking steps to socially transition. It was important to Sally that she supported him in his transition. Alex was also very anxious and depressed and was not engaged with education.

Kim could work with Alex too.

Together, they looked at his lack of engagement at school and what could be done to encourage him to learn. Alex did not feel that school was the right fit for him, but he agreed to finish level 1 NCEA at school so that he could easily transfer to an alternative education provider. Sally was in full support of this move.

Kim went with Alex and Sally to open days at alternative education providers to help him find one he thought would suit him.

Working with the school and the alternative provider his enrolment was finalised. Alex is now fully engaged with learning and is enjoying being challenged and fulfilled. He’s making some good friends and is in a much happier state of mind.

Kim supported Alex to visit his GP to access services that would support his mental health. She provided him with information about Rainbow community support groups – both online and in-person and referred him to counselling.

Working with the community Youth Worker, Alex was mentored to support him in finding a part-time job, opening a bank account, and preparing and managing a budget.

This whānau has some very complex needs and is still working with Kim. However, there is no time limit on how long they can keep receiving Kim’s support, and the help they receive is led by their needs and challenges. This is the strength of Te Korowai Mokopuna.

Giving Alex strength in a time of transition

Donate today to support young people like Alex and his whānau