The country's largest support team for at-risk kids, who are under the threshold for statutory care, was launched in Auckland today. The Counties Manukau Children's Team is the 10th to be opened in the country and expects to improve the lives of children vulnerable to abuse and neglect.
Their clear vision is that they don't want any more children falling through the system.
Papakura Chief executive Tony Kake says, "The aim is to see our younger generations heading down the right path, a path that will help improve their well-being."
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley confirmed details about the process, "If they can intervene successfully with these children, they will not need to go into Child Youth and Family into statutory care."
The Manukau Children's Team is the first in the country where government, iwi, community and non-government agencies are working together.
"My husband and I became primary caregivers for Daisy when she was three-and-a-half, and I believe that Children's Team will only benefit the vulnerable children in our community by making it a speedier process, in getting it right first time, “ says supporter for the The Counties Manukau Children's Team, Sango Broughton.
Papakura, Manurewa and Clendon communities welcome the service that aims to prevent their children from becoming the next statistics of abuse and or neglect.
From the 10 children's teams in NZ, Counties Manukau expects to take 62 children referrals a month and support around 1,400 children in the next two years.
Kaumatua Brownie Rauwhero told Te Kāea, “We have finally come to a place where we can all work together and everything is available in the one place."
Today is the first step with Counties Manukau Children's Team making their first referrals.