Loss of PAFT massive blow to families of twins and triplets

Loss of PAFT a massive blow to families of twins and triplets.

Multiples NZ is saddened and worried by the loss of a key support agency available to parents of multiples. Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) has provided families of twins, triplets and higher order multiples with support, guidance and understanding during the bewildering first years of raising multiples. Especially valued was the ongoing monitoring of their baby and toddlers development (especially important where the babies were born prematurely) and support in developing strategies to best parent in the juggling act that is raising multiples.

Cutting PAFT funding in order to increase available funds for Family Start (which targets more vulnerable families) fails to recognise that new mothers from all socioeconomic backgrounds need support and guidance, and especially so when your first time brings double or triple the joy.

Mary Lambie, patron of Multiples NZ, says “Jim and I didn’t tap into PAFT when the kids were younger because I didn’t realise it was available. We did, however use Plunket ( which appears to have had strong links to PAFT ) .It seems to me family intervention and family support programmes of today are increasingly targeted at the most vulnerable families and you can understand why. In my opinion having children is a great leveller and although the financial pressures may not be as pressing as those experienced by the most vulnerable families there are still very real pressures and needs within the “ middle class’ family sector. The PAFT programme offered home-based support and guidance to this group – a group which is becoming increasingly overlooked when it comes to government funding .”

The extra stress of bringing home more than one baby is a real factor in the development of postnatal depression. Having access to support services such as PAFT is invaluable to many parents of multiples and as these services are taken away the pressure is forced onto volunteer services and existing agencies with already stretched resources.

It is thought that roughly half of Multiple NZ member families have used the PAFT service, including Shelley King (Multiples NZ Committee member and mum to 20 month old triplets).

“PAFT was a life-saver for me, providing peace of mind that my trio had monthly check-ins on their development (including speech and motor skills) and a practical person to nut out the peculiarities of parenting three babies.

With triplets there is a huge feeling of isolation - from friends and other new mums - as the situation is so very different from dealing with one baby at a time. I looked forward to my PAFT visits as much for my sanity as for the children’s development. Just to know I was on the right track with my parenting and to have a practical “outsider” help to develop strategies for behaviour management was a massive weight off my shoulders.

I might have three kids - but I am still a first time mum, with triple the fears and triple the hopes. I really do hope that the government is going to monitor the impact the loss of this service will have.”

Some comments from our Multiples NZ families on the loss of PAFT:

“Paft was by far the best support service we had access to and it's a pity that the 11 month visit was our last. Friendly practical help that never felt formulaic or rote.” - Lucy Jane

“I was gutted to tears when I received the letter saying that PAFT wasn’t on anymore. Our beautiful skilled [PAFT educator] visited every month and my boys loved her; she was a great adviser and listener. Missing her support and interesting activities.” - Matilde Readett

Multiples NZ supports the petition to keep PAFT programme.

https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-social-development-keep-the-paft-parents-as-first-teachers-programme-in-nz

ENDS

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