Child and Youth

Sometimes children and youth need support to get through difficult times. All our services are confidential and professional, with qualified and experienced staff who work specifically with youth.

SOUTHLAND, OTAGO, WEST COAST, UPPER SOUTH, LOWER NORTH

* Pact has certification to provide support via Oranga Tamariki funding in all regions. Often these services start quickly and can be fluid as people move from one service to another (eg community support to residential or vice versa).

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING

Our youth community support workers get to know young people recovering from mental illness (Community Support) or with an intellectual disability in their own home/community (Supported Independent Living) and support them to achieve their goals.

Working alongside children and youth (and case managers where relevant), we help them maintain or improve their mental health, self-esteem and social skills. Staff can help young people find a job or figure out what there is to do in the community. Developing a routine for each day is important, including activities like school, sports, youth groups etc.

In Southland, we have two clinical staff overseeing our youth support, liaising with Southland Hospital where necessary.

Pact has certification to provide support via Oranga Tamariki funding in all our regions – this may be in the form of community support (including in people’s own homes) or in Pact accommodation. In Dunedin we are providing community support at present. Often these services, which can start quickly, can be fluid as people move from one service to another (eg community support to residential or vice versa). We are happy to work on bespoke solutions.

SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION

We have supported accommodation in Invercargill for young people who can benefit from 24/7 staff support in a Pact home with other flatmates. Youth can work on goals, gain independence and improve their health.

We also have an Invercargill home, Te Kaika Whakaaroaro, providing home-like support for young people, with short stays while they are on bail (funded through Oranga Tamariki). The home can take up to three people at a time. Pact has worked closely with mana whenua Waihopai Runaka, which has led to us partnering to co-deliver this service. We take care of the supported accommodation, and Waihopai Runaka take care of the day programme for the clients. Pact staff and clients clean, cook and eat together and do activities in the evening. Waihopai and Pact both support the young people to achieve the goals in their bail conditions.

In Greymouth and Nelson we have individualised services for young clients funded through Oranga Tamariki. Bespoke services can work for young people who may find it challenging to live with others.

DAY PROGRAMME

In Invercargill we also have a day programme which can help if someone’s mental health is affecting their ability to attend school, work or other daily activities. This safe environment helps young people develop skills/strengths to return to their everyday routine. A teacher provides support for educational needs.

SOCIAL NETWORKING CENTRES

Young people with an intellectual disability benefit from a range of programmes at The Link in Balclutha and The Armitage and Naphtali in Dunedin.

YOUTH ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELLING SUPPORT SERVICE

Our qualified, youth-friendly alcohol and drug counsellors work around the greater Wellington region providing 1:1 counselling or group sessions to youth aged between 10 and 19. We are based in many schools, as well as other community centres and services and also have clients see us on site.

Our AOD counsellors provide a free and confidential service which includes: assessments of alcohol or drugs and mental health, counselling, education, harm reduction and relapse prevention strategies. We are client centred and support our youth to achieve their goals.

NAVIGATOR SERVICE

Our youth-friendly support workers, journey alongside our young people in the Wellington community to set and achieve their goals, helping to provide meaningful activities, strengthening relationships and connections in their community.

CO-EXISTING PROBLEMS – EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE

We support youth with experience of mental illness, who are developing alcohol, drug, nicotine or gambling problems. We aim to reduce harm, give people accurate information and support younger people who are at risk of alcohol and other drug and co-existing related problems/dependence. Our staff screen, identify and assess people and provide intervention as required. We provide information and access to other support services in the community and liaise with other services to facilitate training and education for individuals, as well as whānau/family and/or carers.