Waitakere
Covers Waitakare City, Helensville.
Chairperson of Management Group
Name: Jo Anne O'Connor
Address: Work and Income, Private Bag 93 106, Henderson, Auckland
Phone: (09) 913 0323
Mobile: 029 200 5474
Fax: (09) 912 6890
E-mail: Jo Anne O'Connor
Strengthening Families Coordinator
Name: Stephen Randerson
Address: Work and Income Service Centre, 36-44 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson, Auckland
Phone: (09) 917 0650
Mobile: 029 200 1102
Fax: (09) 912 6890
E-mail: Stephen Randerson
Effective Practice/Strengthening Families
The Effective Practice Project has developed a protocol for agencies working with families linked with a number of statutory or community agencies where there is a child at risk.
Research concludes that support that addresses a single problem or offers only a short term intervention has little chance of long-term benefit. Several support agencies working independently is not the answer. To be effective a care plan must be comprehensive, integrated and holistic. The plan must consider the young person’s siblings, parents and whanau; and address changes to the child’s whole life. Sometimes parenting skills and life style choices must be looked at.
An Effective Practice meeting is designed to achieve the integrated and comprehensive care plan that meets the holistic needs of the family. Initially as many of the agencies involved with the family as possible meet with the family and discuss issues and care options. A care plan is formed that is a way forward.
A link agency is appointed. If anyone involved cannot meet their commitment to the care plan the caseworker from the link is contacted. The link agency caseworker consults as appropriate and then decides how the plan can be amended. Occasionally the interagency meeting may need to be recalled.
One meeting does not change behaviours that have developed over many years. Follow up review meetings refine what has been started. Sometimes the child’s behaviour is the presenting problem but often there are underlying home issues to address - sometimes these underlying difficulties only surface at a review meeting when confidence in the people involved and process grows. A review meeting is a form of accountability – a check that agencies have done what they have undertaken to do.
The Project has the following components:
- Promote the use of Effective Practice.
- Provide professional training for caseworkers on how to use a recommended facilitation structure.
- Provide an independent facilitator for an Effective Practice meeting on request.
- Monitor the use of the model.
- Monitor family perceptions of Effective Practice meetings.
- Ensure the model evolves with structured flexibility so it meets the needs of families from different cultures and backgrounds.
- Identify gaps in services and advocate for solutions.
- Find and promote preventative initiatives that over time will reduce the number of risk situations for children that develop.
For more information on Effective Practice contact the project Coordinator.
Our Name - Effective Practice or Strengthening Families
What is the difference between the service provided by Strengthening Families and Effective Practice?
There is no difference!!
In 1997 Waitakere was the first area in the country to pilot Effective Practice as a way of working. It was decided to call the service Effective Practice. When a decision was made in 1998 to extend the service nationally the name Strengthening Families was chosen. The Waitakere Management Group has opted to keep the name Effective Practice. The Effective Practice name seems to better reflect the focus of the service.
The aim is to provide a better service to families by co-ordinating cross sector work. If service provision is improved the expectation is the family will be strengthened.
At a sector level agencies are encouraged to “network” - talk to one another about their work and ensure their services work together in harmony.
At a family level Effective Practice meetings are held. The outcome is a single co-ordinated care plan addressing the issues the family face.
Resources
To access Strengthening Families resources including local pamphlets and information and the local strategic plan please contact the coordinator.
- Download Waitakere's February 2004 Newsletter in PDF - 99kb