School Children to Benefit from Auckland Conference

Wednesday April 4, 2012

School Children to Benefit from Auckland Conference

A chance to help shape positive futures for school kids, is the aim of the 2012 SWiS conference to be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Auckland Airport April 12th and 13th. Family Works Northern is hosting the conference for Social Workers in Schools from across New Zealand.

Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) is a school-based community social work service, that places a social worker right in the school grounds, bringing together a child or young person’s home and school life.

SWiS provide early assistance and intervention to children and their families when social or family circumstances are causing the child to struggle with education, health or social development. The aim is to see safe, healthy and socialised children with a strong sense of identity, who are fully engaged in school.

Referrals can be made by the children or family themselves, the school, or community or Government agencies. Referrals need the consent of the family, as the service can only be successful with the family’s willing participation and engagement.

SWiS social workers are employed by NGO social service providers, and work in partnership with school staff as part of the school community. A social worker will work in one school, or a group of schools, based on the geographical spread of schools in their region. SWiS are based in low-decile schools, primarily Primary and intermediate.

The service is:

• Free to students and their families
• Completely Voluntary – it's up to the children, young people and their families if they want to talk with a social worker.

Government is increasing funding for SWiS

This year the government has committed to increasing funding to support the expansion of SWIS service. The first SWIS regional RBA (results based accountability) survey was conducted in November last year, with the report just completed. This report has also been forwarded to the Hon Paula Bennett and to Bernadine McKenzie, Deputy Director General, Child Youth and Family.

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It shows a strong endorsement of the value of SWiS and the effective work that the social workers are doing. With a high response rate, evaluative feedback was received from 193 children (78% being Maori), 135 parents and 182 teachers. All three groups strongly indicated the SWiS service was highly valued and achieved results. For example:

• Wellbeing of the children improved (89% of parents and 90% of children rated this highly)
• Family’s wellbeing had improved (90% of parents rated this highly)
• Children more engaged with school (79% of children and 82% of parents rated this highly)
• Teachers more able to teach (84% of teachers rated this highly.

In general terms, parents indicated the SWiS service enabled improved outcomes for their children, including, increased confidence, greater enjoyment of school and connections to further support for them. Teachers explained that outcomes for children included improved attendance, attitude, behaviour and engagement with learning. Teachers also expressed that the service enabled improved outcomes for the school by improving connections between the school and family and by allowing teachers to concentrate on their core job of educating children. Further to this:

• 95% of parents were highly satisfied with the service and reported that SWiS demonstrated out values (are respectful and trusted)
• 92%of teachers were highly satisfied with the service
• 97% of teachers reported that SWiS demonstrated our values
• 83% of teachers thought the service met the needs of the school
• 89% of teachers thought the SWiS strongly engaged with the community.

Why Family Works Northern is hosting

Family Works Northern recognises the significant difference that SWiS can make to children and their families and is hosting this conference to contribute to the further strengthening of this important service.

“Presbyterian Support Northern and Family Works Northern are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this event. We believe the SWIS service is one that works extremely well, not only have we always believed that, but we are now in a position to evidence it through Results Based Accountability (RBA) specifically for SWIS.

Preventive Social Work has a continued and important place in New Zealand society and the more we can educate and professionalise those providing the service and those receiving it, the better off our children and families will be, “General Manager Family Works Northern, Laurie Pedlar says.

Attendance

Attendance is free, but attendees are responsible for their own transport, accommodation and meals outside of conference hours.

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Key Note Speakers

Dr Rod Watts, CEO, Presbyterian Support Northern —Dr Watts joined Presbyterian Support Northern as chief executive in August 2006.

He has a long history in health and disability services in Australia and New Zealand and was previously national manager of planning and development in the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Disability Services Directorate. Rod is an Executive Member of the NZ Home Health Association and President of NZ Council of Christian Social Services.

Originally from Melbourne, Rod has a variety of research, clinical and management experience, including work in palliative care, mental health, general hospital social work, oncology, rehabilitation and trauma management.

Rod's qualifications include a Masters of Social Work, focused on distress among people with cancer, and a PhD in the field of psychiatry, based on research on victims of major bus crashes.

Paraire Huata is of Ngāti Kahungungu descent and is noted for developing and implementing Māori models of practice in a variety of settings, including mental health, social work, forensics, alcohol and other drugs, and family violence.

Paraire is renowned for progressing indigenous knowledge as-well-as challenging points of view that undermine the understanding of rangatiratanga. He has presented at conference both nationally and internationally and is widely respected for his transferring of knowledge in a meaningful way.

Dr Ian Lambie, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Auckland who has acquired an impressive research record, in the field of adolescent offending. He is also recognised as an excellent teacher and mentor in the University’s Clinical Psychology Training Programme.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr Lambie has attained a high profile for his work in the community and with youth, especially the rehabilitation of youth offenders. Ian has published both nationally and internationally in the field of adolescent offending and has been awarded an international award for his research in this area.

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Workshops

Shine—Jill Proudfoot, Client Services Director and Donna Williamson, KIDshine Coordinator will facilitate a workshop that will focus on talking with children who live in homes where abusive behaviour is used and will discuss strategies that Shine have found successful in their KIDshine services.

Safer Homes In NZ Everyday (Shine) is a national not-for-profit working to address domestic abuse. A major goal is to assist families to safely remain in their own home, without having the disruption of relocation - leaving friends, neighbourhoods, schools and employment.

KIDshine responds promptly to incidents referred to Shine and is proactively offered to families, free in their homes and at times, more convenient.

Netsafe—Dr John Fenaughty and Lee Chisholm from NetSafe will be presenting a workshop on cybersafety and security. NetSafe provides information and advice to help New Zealanders stay safe and be responsible online.

Students surveyed in New Zealand reported that bullying is the most distressing challenge they face online and this workshop will provide information about cyberbullying as well as discuss prevention and solutions.

FWN SWiS—Prevention and intervention programmes are an integral component of SWiS service delivery. Family Works Northern SWiS offer you examples of successful programmes that have met the identified, specific needs of children within a variety of school communities.

Dr Candy Cookson-Cox—‘Making sense of your gut feelings’ this workshop will explore depression and anxiety in children.

Grant Malins MoE Service Manager, Regional Behaviour Service, Northern—facilitating a workshop focusing on Bullying Awareness and Prevention.

www.psn/northern/family works.org

SWiS http://www.cyf.govt.nz/working-with-others/swis-services/index.html

ENDS

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