Early Intervention Will Help Porirua Kids Reconnect With School And Community

More Porirua tamariki who are struggling early in life have a better chance at reconnecting with their communities and re-engaging at school.

The Porirua Whānau Centre is excited to be able to expand its ROCC programme work, which focuses on early prevention and community safety, to support children aged around 8 to 12 years who are beginning to disengage from school or positive community life.

Schools, police, and other community partners who are already concerned about a child can refer them to the Whānau Centre for help.

Jess Te Huia, Whānau Centre Korowai Service Manager, says each tamariki is supported individually, so the response is shaped around what they need, rather than being forced into a set programme.

“We know that children disengage for different reasons,” Te Huia says.

“For some, learning difficulties or unmet needs at school can be hugely frustrating. For others, they’re dealing with challenges at home.”

“Any combination of these problems can see them disconnecting from whānau, feeling like they don’t belong, which in turn affects their behaviour and achievement at school.”

She says these pressures can quickly add up, leaving children feeling disconnected from their whānau and like they don’t belong, which often shows up in their behaviour and achievement at school.

Te Huia says support focuses on education, wellbeing, and positive connection, and is tailored around what will make the biggest difference for each child.

The aim is to strengthen the foundations children need to feel supported, confident, and connected.

This can include helping tamariki access therapeutic support, supporting participation in positive activities, or reconnecting children with their whānau, whakapapa, and sense of identity.

The focus is on helping children feel safe, supported, and confident in their everyday lives, Te Huia says.

“By addressing problems early, we can reduce the risk of ongoing harm and support healthier pathways into adolescence.”

“And trust is key to making early intervention work. These are not children we’re meeting for the first time. We already know their whānau and their stories, which means we can respond in ways that make sense for them. When children feel supported and connected, we see real change.”

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