Published on 10th of September, 2024
The Housing First Ōtautahi (HFŌ) whānau team supports high needs whānau where there is Oranga Tamariki (OT) and/or Family Court involvement. The team consists of Gina, whānau team practice lead, and Jen, whānau social worker.
“In most cases children have been removed because of family violence,” says Gina. “In addition, there may be drug use, unsafe decision-making, mental health and trauma.” The aim of the service is to promote a positive relationship between the kaewa (Housing First clients) and their tamariki, and to support the kaewa in the care of their tamariki.
The team support kaewa to navigate their experiences with OT and the Family Court by accompanying them to family group conferences, court appearances, liasing with external organisations, advocating on their behalf and providing advice. “We’re able to walk into a hui and prepare our kaewa so they know exactly what they’re walking into. Coming out of a hui or family group conference, it’s about ensuring kaewa feel clear about what was spoken about, their voice was heard, and they’re a participant in those plans.”
Within their first year the whānau team have already made a huge difference. “We’ve got successes for all of our kaewa so far,” says Gina. “Some of the feedback from kaewa is that they’ll walk out from a hui or family group conference and go ‘oh that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be’ or ‘that was the best hui I’ve been to’ and that’s our role – I want kaewa to feel supported, and it to be a much gentler process.”
Gina works with a Family Court Navigator when a kaewa has an upcoming court date. “Before our intervention the statistics for our kaewa showing up at court was very low. So far, I’ve had a 100% success rate of getting our kaewa into court.”
“There’s so much fear and feeling of shame to have even got to that point. If we can be as mana enhancing as possible, that’s what we need to be.”
Gina and Jen are appreciative of the cultural support available through HFŌ Pou Whakarae Anania Tawhi. “We’re very blessed to have Anania,” says Gina. “90% of Jen’s caseload are Māori. It’s important for me to lead practice that is culturally appropriate.”
A success story for the team has been with a kaewa who is now housed with her two young sons after many years of hardship and trauma. “She’s loving it,” says Jen. “They’d moved six times in those last six months so she wonders if in their minds [the boys] they’re thinking ‘is this really home.’”
Once kaewa are housed they are better able to address challenges in their lives, including for one kaewa who recently got his children back in his care. “As soon as he got housed his whole wairua changed and he was able to complete the tasks asked by OT,” says Gina.
“Kaewa who are going through the system and don’t have a home, who are supposed to be completing tasks set by the family group conference, they’re just not capable or in a place to do it. My hope for that is, don’t give up on our kaewa, because as soon as we can house them, especially if they’re seriously voicing that they want their children back, there’s hope.”
