Quarterly news for Child, Youth and Family caregivers Issue 36 • March 2014
ISSN 1177-2573
rs Awards for care and young people William Wallace and Excellence in Fostercare Awards Talented musician Dawn Leach, from Gisborne, showed what our young people in care can achieve when she performed a song she had written to a large audience gathered to celebrate the William Wallace Awards. Dawn was accompanied by ex-Split Enz guitarist, Mike Chunn. In our December issue of Care Matters we promised to bring you stories and photographs from the William Wallace and Excellence in Fostercare Awards. You can read more in the following pages. Continued on next page...
inside... 2: William Wallace Awards 4: Excellence in Fostercare Awards 6: If a child or young person goes missing 8: Fostercare allowance rates and book news
William Wallace Awards
www.cyf.govt.nz
real life
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Twenty young people were honoured for their achievements and resilience on December 3, 2013. Some were sports champions, others excelled academically, some shone at cultural activities like kapa haka and tikanga, while others were visual artists and performers. Each received a William Wallace Award - a financial scholarship of up to $3000 - to enable further study or training, or to do a leadership course like Outward Bound. “To see and hear how these young people had overcome difficult beginnings to become confident achievers and leaders was inspiring,” said head of Child, Youth and Family, Bernadine Mackenzie. “It was wonderful to see the pride on their faces as each received their award.”
We really honour these young people and also the people who stand beside them – their caregivers and social workers and others who have recognised their talents and believed in them. Hon. Paula Bennett, who presented the awards.
The awards started a few years back as a result of the generosity of a man called William Wallace who left a bequest to Child, Youth and Family. This year the number of scholarships has grown to 20 with the help of Vodafone New Zealand, Sysdoc, GFS (formerly Girls Friendly Society), Barnardos, Open Home Foundation,
Fostering Kids and Ministry of Social Development staff, who generously supported the annual ‘William Wallace quiz night’. We don’t have room to profile all our winners, but we’ve chosen five from around the country to show the amazing things young people can achieve when they’re loved and supported by their caregivers and social workers.
Dawn Leach, Gisborne Dawn, who performed at the Awards ceremony, is a talented guitarist who writes and produces her own music. While at Gisborne Girls High School Dawn gained placings in the Secondary Schools’ talent quest and the regional rock quest competition. She was also in her school choir and kapa haka group. Dawn excelled academically and last year was Deputy Head Girl. Her social worker, Rachel, says Dawn’s resilience, courage, and belief in herself, have seen her grow into a highly motivated, caring and determined young woman. Dawn will use her award to begin a teaching career.
Jesse Hamilton-Hall, Whanganui Jesse is an independent and proud young man who lives with carers in Whanganui. His social worker, Colleen, describes him as positive, with amazing resilience. In his youth, Jesse attended two secondary schools before settling at Whanganui City College, where he was well supported and last year was chosen to be a prefect. Since doing an Outward Bound course, Jesse has been working towards credits which will enable him to study physical education at university. Jesse wants to work with at-risk young people.
Dawn Leach
Jesse Hamilton -Hall and Asso ciate Justice Minister Chester Borrow s
Matiu Smart
Jesse Pearson relaxes bef ore the ceremony with his sist er
Matiu Smart, Hokianga
Jesse Pearson, Auckland
Matiu has thrived living in the rural community of Hokianga.
Jesse says he has a lot to look forward to, especially doing a degree at AUT in sport and recreation, physiotherapy or coaching, and completing an Outward Bound programme.
An experienced kaihoe waka, Matiu was selected to join nine other young people paddling a tribal waka 200km in Canada’s Puget Sound as part of a tribal canoe journey. He’s no stranger to long voyages, having been kaihoe for a 2013 return trip of the Te Aurere waka to Rapanui, which was navigated by traditional methods. Matiu is a great ambassador for Mäori. He is in the school’s kapa haka group and tutors younger students in mau rakau (Mäori weaponry), te reo and tikinga. He will use his award to pursue his long-held dream of joining the Navy.
Alexandria Mayers
Jesse excelled at school and last year was chosen for a sailing voyage on the Spirit of Adventure to promote self-development. In 2011 Jesse was selected to take part in the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. Jesse was nominated by his Child, Youth and Family social worker, Tina, who says he is a compassionate young man who is mature beyond his years and always positive.
Alexandria (Alex) Mayers, Amberley Three years ago, Alex was awarded a special prize through Barnardos, which helped her pursue her passion for working with horses. Alex has been featured in national magazines for her outstanding horsemanship. She still lives and breathes horses and will use her award to do an Equine course at Telford, which is part of Lincoln University.
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Jesse Pearson, Auckland Dawn Leach, Gisborne (Te Aitanga ä Mähaki) Monique Goodhew, Otaki (Ngäpuhi, Ngäti Porou) Derna Rangirangi, Hamilton (Ngäti Porou) Scott Baker, Christchurch Edward (Ed) Walker, Hamilton (Ngai te Rangi) Alexandria (Alex) Mayers, Amberley (Tühoe, Rangitäne) Matiu Smart, Kohukohu (Te Rarawa, Ngäpuhi) Benjomin (Ben) Krouse, Timaru Anaru Kirk, Christchurch (Ngäti Porou) Jesse Hamilton-Hall, Whanganui Ezra Park, Hamilton Dylan Donne, Tauranga (Ngäti Ranginui)
And the seven other winners who did not wish to be identified.
Receiving a William Wallace Award makes a huge difference to the lives of young people in care. The awards honour outstanding young people in care, many of whom have overcome significant barriers and gone on to great achievements. The money received – up to $3000 – goes towards helping the young person pursue their dreams of tertiary, vocational or leadership training. Previous winners have used their awards to attend a training course, university, or go on a leadership course like Outward Bound. Nominations for 2014 William Wallace Awards open in April. If you know of a young person who is achieving great things at school or at something they are interested in, or who shows great leadership skills, please talk to your young person’s social worker, or visit our webpage: http://www.cyf.govt.nz/info-forcaregivers/what-are-the-william-wallace-awards/ index.html
real life
Congratulations to:
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Care Matters • Issue 36 • March 2014
William Wallace award Winners, 2013
www.cyf.govt.nz
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The Excellence in Fostercare Awards signalled the start of Fostercare Awareness Week – the time we celebrate you, our caregivers. Over 3,400 of you foster for Child, Youth and Family and we are deeply appreciative of the work you do. Every day we feel fortunate to have you alongside us, but the first week in November is our chance to let you know how important you are and formally say ‘thank you’ for the incredible work you do with our vulnerable children and young people. By loving them and taking them in to your families, you make a huge difference to their lives. “People who foster children are the un-sung heroes of this country,” said Child, Youth and Family head, Bernadine Mackenzie. “Care suggests a safe place to sleep, food, clothes and meeting children’s needs. But we know that caregivers do something much bigger than this, by giving hope, love and creating moments where children can begin to trust and grow.” Fostering Kids NZ Chief Executive, Linda Surtees, says “Fostering families are a rare gem in our communities, worthy of the upmost admiration.´ Fostercare Week is our opportunity to acknowledge the life-changing gift they provide to our children most in need.”
Eleven carers received Excellence in Fostercare Awards at a ceremony hosted by Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Lady Janine Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington on November 4. The winners were: • • • • • • • • •
Jan Halliday, Hornby Liz Ann Mills, Auckland Jane-Adair and Fred Knewstubb, Oamaru Chris Kelly, Dingwall Trust, Auckland Clare and Terry Davis, Te Iwi o Ngati Kahu Trust, Huntly Terri Standish and Jack Zwart, Open Home Foundation, Palmerston North Gloria and Wayne Green, Canterbury Angela Swinney, Whänau care, Christchurch Yvonne and Walter (Wal) Walraven, Upper Hutt
Fred and Jane-Adair Knewstubb
Jane-Adair and Fred Knewstubb, Oamaru Jane-Adair and Fred have been fostering for over 35 years and have opened their home to children regardless of the time of day or night they arrive. The couple is still in regular contact with children and families who they have been involved with. As a result, they have a large extended family and they are often introduced as grandparents.
Jan Halliday, Hornby Jan has opened her family home to foster children for over 20 years and wherever possible, works alongside the parents of the children she cares for. She has supported a young man she has cared for since he was a toddler, who is now going on to do great things.
And two others who do not wish to be identified.
Liz Ann Mills, Auckland
We’re sorry we don’t have room to include photographs of all winners.
Liz has been a foster carer for over 17 years and specialises in looking after newborn babies. During this time she has cared for 131 babies, some with severe medical issues, helping them transition to more permanent homes.
Jack Zwart and Terri Standish
Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Clare and Terry Davis, Huntly
Chris has made a huge difference in many young people’s lives over the 18 years that he has been a foster parent for Dingwall Trust. “I feel like Chris has been a major factor in me becoming a happy healthy adult, and I have lived a very different life than I would have, thanks to him,” said one young person.
The children cared for by Clare and Terry are the couple’s biggest fans: “People who foster are real special. They all deserve awards for all their hard work, sometimes heart-break and tears, and they keep on fostering despite all of this. Win or not, well done Mum and Dad!”
Training and raising the profile of caregivers is a strong focus for Chris and he also mentors new caregivers.
Clare and Terry have been fostering for 15 years, the last six of those for Te Iwi o Ngati Kahu Trust.
Yvonne and Wal Walraven, Upper Hutt Yvonne and Wal have been Open Home Foundation foster carers for the past 19 years and continue to provide care for many children. They are committed to furthering their knowledge about fostering and have attended many courses and training workshops. Terry and Clare Davis
Terri Standish and Jack Zwart, Palmerston North Terri and Jack have supported and advocated for children and young people in care for the last eight years through the Open Home Foundation. They decided to become foster carers so they could “be part of the solution rather than criticising from the sidelines”.
Angela Swinney, Christchurch For the past 17 years Angela has been a whänau carer and has also cared for a very challenging child through Child Youth and Family. She has achieved all of this as a working single mum. Angela goes out of her way to support the children in her care and fellow foster carers. As a member of the Otautahi Fostercare Association, Angela has organised many events for fostering families.
Care Matters • Issue 36 • March 2014
Feature
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www.cyf.govt.nz
News you can use
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What to do when a child or young person goes missing It can be very stressful when a child or young person goes missing. As a foster carer, this is one of the things you might have to deal with, so we’ve drawn up a set of guidelines so you know what to do. Please read this information then keep it somewhere handy in case you need it. The most important thing to know is that if a child or young person in your care is missing and you have concerns for their safety or welfare, ring 111 immediately and report this to the Police. Then ring your Child, Youth and Family social worker. If the social worker is unavailable, then please call the Child, Youth and Family site and ask for the supervisor or duty social worker, or call the Contact Centre: 0508 CARERS (0508 227377). “It is important that caregivers do not leave voicemail messages for Child, Youth and Family about missing children or young people,” said Chris Pickering, manager protection, Child, Youth and Family. “There’s the danger that voicemail messages won’t be picked up immediately and it’s vital for us to know if a child or young person is missing,” Chris said.
Missing A missing person is any person: • whose whereabouts are unknown (when they are unable to be contacted and no-one knows where they are) and • there are fears for their safety or serious concerns for their welfare and vulnerability. They will be considered missing until they are located and their wellbeing is established.
Unauthorised absence If a child or young person’s whereabouts are known, then they are not ‘missing’. Some young people run away from their home for a short period and then return. Often their whereabouts are known or can be quickly established through contact with the young person or by speaking to their family or friends. While you may have good reason to believe the child or young person is not at risk, these situations should still be discussed with Child, Youth and Family.
Careful monitoring of an unauthorised absence is important, as the child may later be considered a missing person. i.e. their whereabouts are ‘unknown’.
What to do If you don’t know the whereabouts of the child or young person and you have concerns about their immediate safety, call 111 and then contact Child, Youth and Family. If there are no immediate concerns for their safety or welfare, there are some things you can do with their social worker to help decide if a ‘missing person’s’ alert to Police is needed. These enquiries might include: • calling or texting the young person (if they have a cell phone) • talking to friends, parents, whänau members or others who may know where they might be – if there is any potential risk during this process, please ask the Police for help • checking emails and Facebook (where possible).
Action
Contact information
Urgent You don’t know where the child or young person is and you are worried about their immediate safety.
Caregiver calls 111.
Caregiver then contacts Child, Youth and Family.
Business Hours: site social worker After Hours: 0508 CARERS (0508 227 377).
It is important that you DO NOT leave voicemail messages for Child, Youth and Family regarding missing children or young people. If the social worker is unavailable then please call the Child, Youth and Family site and ask for the supervisor or duty social worker, or call the Contact Centre. The social worker puts a case-note on our case-management system, CYRAS.
Business Hours: site social worker. After Hours: 0508 CARERS (0508 227 377).
You don’t know where the child or young person is.
Caregiver calls Child, Youth and Family.
Business hours: site social worker After Hours: 0508 CARERS (0508 227 377).
After you have spoken to the social worker, the decision is made that the child or young person is an ‘unauthorised absence’.
The social worker puts a case-note on our case-management system, CYRAS and the status is regularly reviewed.
Business hours: site social worker After Hours: 0508 CARERS (0508 227 377).
After you have spoken to the social worker, the decision is made that the child or young person is ‘missing’.
A missing person report is made to the Police.
Business hours: site social worker contacts Police.
Non-urgent
After hours: Caregiver contacts Police, as you can provide the most up-to-date information.
News you can use
Situation
Care Matters • Issue 36 • March 2014
Caregivers’ guide for missing children and young people
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Mortal Fire
Annual Foster Care Rates rise
By Elizabeth Knox Published by Gecko Press
From 1 April this year the Foster Care Allowance rates will increase. This is called the Annual General Adjustment and happens every year to make sure that payments keep up with changes in the price of goods and services. The increase will be automatically added to your payment.
Thank you to everyone who entered last issue’s competition. Congratulations to our winner: Areta, who will receive a copy of Eat Up, Little Donkey. This month we have a copy of Mortal Fire to give away. Many thanks to our friends at Gecko Press for donating this prize. Name: Address:
Send your entry to: Care Matters, Child, Youth and Family Communications, PO Box 1556, Wellington 6140. Or email us with your name and postal address to:
[email protected] Please send us your entry before 30 May, 2014.
Quarterly clothing rate
Birthday and Christmas allowance (half the weekly board rate)
Foster Care Allowance and Clothing Rates from 1 April 2014
Weekly pocket money
Sixteen-year-old Canny has always been a little different. She’s never known her father, she’s always had a calculating, mathematical mind, and she’s always been able to see something Extra. When she sets out on a trip with her stepbrother, she finds herself drawn into the enchanting Zarene Valley, where she meets the mysterious seventeenyear-old Ghislain and discovers that the secrets of the valley are her secrets, too.
Weekly rate
A rich, deeply engaging book for teenagers.
Age of child/young person
www.cyf.govt.nz
book matters
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0-4 years
145.30
2.10
72.65
254.19
5-9 years
168.62
6.40
84.31
288.06
10-13 years
186.06
9.60
93.03
355.71
14+ years
203.42
14.80
101.71
427.01
Family Home caregivers
189.67
Rates as above (paid in addition to board rates)
94.84
Rates as above
New Resour ce
Staying calm with kids
Parenting young children can be stressful at times, and no matter how well organised and well intentioned we are, it can be hard not to lose the plot sometimes. To give parents and caregivers some help and support, SKIP has developed a short Staying Calm with Kids booklet. This pocket-sized resource features simple, action-focused tips and brain development information. It also features advice about helping kids manage their own anger and has a handy tear-out section with useful helplines. Staying Calm with Kids can be ordered free via the SKIP website (skip.org. nz). If you don’t have access to a computer, you can use one at your local library, or ask your social worker to order a booklet for you.
Tell us your stories We’d love to publish your good news stories in Care Matters. Tell us about the positive things happening with the children you care for. Have they done really well in some area? Got a new pet? Made their school lunch for the first time? Anything that you think is great and has made you and them happy; we’d love to hear about it.
The children you care for could send us their good news stories too. If you’ve got a story to share, please email us at
[email protected] or write to Care Matters, Child, Youth and Family Communications, PO Box 1556, Wellington 6140. Printed in New Zealand on paper sourced from well-managed sustainable forests using mineral oil free, soy-based vegetable inks.
