Hi ! eNews December 2011
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Merry Christmas from the team at Jigsaw. At this special time of year we think in particular of those who have experienced difficult and troubled times throughout 2011. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday, sharing peaceful time with family and friends. Here at Jigsaw we reflect on a year that has had its challenges but that has also brought many exciting new opportunities and developments. We especially acknowledge our partner agencies throughout New Zealand, who continue to do amazing work making a difference for children and families in their communities. |
Liz Kinley and Tau Huirama, |
As we head into 2012 we look forward to supporting and sharing the new thinking and practice that is emerging within the Jigsaw network. We'll also be continuing to forge new and diverse relationships with individuals, families, communities, and organisations throughout New Zealand who share our vision for taking action to promote the safety and wellbeing of our children and their families.
Best wishes to you all for the holiday season and the New Year.
New Jigsaw Board
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There’s a new-look Jigsaw Board following elections at our November conference and AGM. We welcome newly elected members Elaine Dyer (Violence Free Waitakere), Terri Cassidy (Jigsaw North) and Tasha Knight (Maketu Hauora). They will join Jill Proudfoot from Shine, who has been re-elected, and the co-opted members, Jim Scully (ThinkPlace) and Lynn Blake-Palmer (Thought Partners). Tim Metcalfe from Jigsaw Whanganui returns as Chair and Daryl Gregory from He Waka Tapu in Christchurch steps up to become Deputy Chair. And so we fondly farewell Ngaropi Cameron (Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki), Libby Robins from Family Help Trust and Liz Nelson from Jigsaw North, and thank them so much for the valuable contribution and expertise they brought to the Board and their endeavours to make a difference for children and their families. |
Focus on child poverty encouraging
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Jigsaw is encouraged that the new Government has promised to look at issues surrounding child poverty and family wellbeing. The support deal between the Maori Party and the National Party will see the establishment of a high-powered ministerial committee to investigate issues associated with poverty. |
The deal will also see a stand-alone commissioning agency for whanau ora set up in the next 12 months, as well as plans to increase funding to treat rheumatic fever and to further insulate low-income homes.
Jigsaw Chief Executive Liz Kinley says she’s pleased to see more of a focus on child poverty, as it is one of the factors that exacerbates child abuse and neglect.
She also welcomes moves to see whanau ora embedded in social policy, but would like to see strong connections between what the Maori Party is proposing and work already being done on welfare reform and the Green Paper for vulnerable children.
“It’s extremely important that we put children at the centre of the thinking on welfare,” she says.
Liz says the country must invest everything we can in our children and their future. “I would hate to see money that’s already being spent on children and families simply diverted to another area.”
Hear Liz on Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report programme.
Minister Bennett at Jigsaw conference
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The Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett conceded that sharing information about vulnerable children is a messy, complicated business and it was important the government got it right. Paula Bennett opened our conference by sharing her vision for children and explained that the Green Paper, to be followed up next year by a White Paper and 10 year action plan, will be one of the most critical pieces of work she does in her role. |
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In relation to data sharing she said that looking at what information is shared between agencies is just part of the question.
“What happens if we get it wrong? How do you get your information taken off the record if it’s not right?”
“We all have to get our heads around these gnarly issues. This is not my decision alone,” she told the conference.
Paula Bennett urged all New Zealanders to get involved and have their say on how the country can better protect children.
Green Paper conversation highlights key concerns
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Sitting around a table with other social service experts to nut out some gritty answers to questions posed in the Green Paper on vulnerable children, was just one of the highlights at Jigsaw’s national conference. More than 150 people from a range of social service, government, education and health backgrounds came together for the conference at Te Papa in November. |
Jigsaw held two World Café-style conversations based around themes of the Green Paper. In the first they were asked how communities could be supported to find their own solutions to meet the needs of their vulnerable children.
Overwhelmingly a key message came through from the lively debate – trust. Agencies felt that the government must trust that service providers have the experience and knowledge about what works best in their own communities.
There was also a call for realistic contracts which have flexibility to determine where the gaps are and what the needs are for families. Conference goers also felt strongly that funding should not be pulled before programmes are fully evaluated.
In the second café conversation about data sharing, there were clear ideas about what information should be shared between government departments, agencies and family/whanau.
There was a feeling that anything that would enhance safety should be shared, because it would prevent overload and duplication of services.
But there need to be clear parameters set around what information was shared and why and ‘fishing trips’ for information were not OK.
The conference agreed that information sharing was a delicate issue and needed to be flexible and treated on a case-by-case basis. Any sharing must be based around respect, honesty and must not interfere with the therapeutic process for children and families.
All of the ideas, suggestions and concerns from the two café conversations are being collated and will be fed in to Jigsaw’s submission on the Green Paper. Submissions close in February.
Learn more about the Green Paper
Jigsaw in the media
TV3 News - call for truth to be uncovered about death of two-year-old James Lawrence
Conference to focus on child abuse - Paediatric Society conference; child abuse everyone's issue
Wanganui Chronicle - Jigsaw Whanganui's great Whanganui whitebait cook-off and book
Story shared for White Ribbon Day - Jigsaw partner helps Queenstown woman
Wanganui Chronicle - Jigsaw Whanganui involved in White Ribbon march
Radio New Zealand Morning Report - Jigsaw chief executive Liz Kinley talks about Maori Party support agreement for National-led government
Christchurch Women’s Refuge hopes to reduce need for traditional safe houses
A new approach to breaking the cycle of family violence in Christchurch is an exciting and revolutionary development.
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Jigsaw partner Christchurch Women’s Refuge has announced a new focus on keeping women and children safe in their homes, whilst also supporting men in a temporary residential service. |
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By making their clients’ houses physically safer so that women and children can stay in their own homes, children will have a real refuge and their daily lives and support networks will be disrupted less.
At the same time, along with fellow Jigsaw partner He Waka Tapu, and Relationship Services, they will offer formal residential services for men who must leave their homes. This supports the men to change their ways, rather than just leaving them to their own devices.
It is hoped the new initiative will reduce the need for traditional safe houses for women and children.
Women will be empowered and men will be encouraged to take responsibility for their violent behaviour. It’s win, win all round.
Read the full media release.
Jigsaw inspires people to get off the couch!
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Jigsaw is delighted to be inspiring more everyday people to take a stand against child abuse and neglect. We welcome moves by Angeline Quick of Wellington to launch herself (and her mates) off the couch and get running in February’s AMI Round the Bays Wellington. Way to go Angeline! We salute your attempts to raise awareness and funds so we can make a difference for vulnerable children and their families. |
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Support by visiting Angeline's fundraising page
eNews November 2011
'A rich feast for body, mind, and spirit' is how one participant described last week's Jigsaw conference. Certainly we were treated to a wealth of information and inspiration, and we'll be sharing some of the highlights with you in this and future eNews. We'll also look at some of the exciting things happening around the country - including the opportunity to ensure that your vote at the upcoming general election benefits children and young people.
Let's make children's wellbeing an election issue
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Jigsaw is challenging all political party leaders to spell out their plans to tackle child abuse ahead of this year’s General Election. Chief Executive Tau Huirama says the children’s voice in elections is often overlooked, especially because they can’t vote. But he says our children/tamariki must be put first when changes are made to social or economic policies. “We have heard about National’s Green Paper on Vulnerable Children and about Labour’s plans for a Ministry for Children. But it’s frustrating because there are few details about what is specifically intended.” |
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“It’s an easy enough question. What are you going to do to make a difference for our children?”
A recent report, He Ara Hou: The Pathway Forward, shows that Maori and Pasifika children suffer disproportionately in low living standards and experience significantly poorer health, educational and social outcomes than other groups.
“It shows that social and economic policies are not delivering any real benefits for our most vulnerable tamariki,” Tau says. “It is time that we all look through children’s eyes to see the impact that policies and social services have on our children.”
Tau Huirama says that by putting children first, our whole nation benefits because children have a chance to grow up to live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives, where they can contribute positively to society.
Young people present views at Jigsaw conference
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Giving young people a chance to speak out and be involved in decisions that affect them was one of the key issues discussed at Jigsaw’s national conference held last week in Wellington. The CREATE foundation is the peak body in Australia representing the views of children and young people in out-of-home care. They have established the Young Consultants programme and National Youth Advisory Council to give young people a voice. Rosemary Jenkinson, CREATE’s Research and Policy Team manager, says the cornerstone of their practice is to involve children and young people as much as possible. “We look at what issues are facing young people in state care, how to develop action plans for when they leave care and how they can survive in the world. At every stage young people are involved in the process,” Rosemary says. |
It was exactly that kind of thinking that permeated through Jigsaw’s national conference last week. Social service, education and health sector workers were challenged to put children at the heart of their practice with the theme “whanau ora through children’s eyes”.
We'll bring you highlights in future editions, but in the meantime you might like to visit the CREATE website to learn more about the innovative work they are doing.
Many Voices One Purpose - taking on the challenge
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Jigsaw’s taking on the challenge of reaching out and linking families in a spread out rural community as part of its drive to improve children’s wellbeing and prevent child abuse. The Many Voices One Purpose campaign is expanding into the Tararua region, with a coordinator employed in Dannevirke for two days a week. The campaign aims to make it a normal part of everyday life for people to notice when children and families need extra help and offer support before problems escalate. It has already been embedded in the Thames region and adapted in Whangarei and Tokoroa. |
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Jacqueline, from Dannevirke Family Services, will be taking on the fourth phase and she says her first challenge has been getting to know who’s who in the Weber and Pongaroa communities and identifying possible leaders.
To do that she’s been out visiting with the rural postie and has been meeting with farmers, playgroups, mums and district nurses.
“Tararua is a huge area geographically. The 19,000 population is quite spread out and fairly transient,” Jacqueline says.
“I want to find out what the strengths are in these communities and what the needs are and how to match them up,” Jacqueline says. “That’s the best way we can protect children and help them grow up safe, strong and well cared for.”
Tokoroa mum still battling to keep children safe
Child abuse campaigner and marathon runner Rebekah Smith says she is strongly committed to working with Jigsaw to protect the region’s children, despite being forced to hang up her running shoes.
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The mother of three had been training hard for the New York City marathon, hoping to raise $50,000 for Jigsaw’s work. But a couple of months ago she collapsed at her workplace and doctors have forbidden her to run or do any exercise while they get to the bottom of the problem. “It took me a while to come to terms with it. I’m really disappointed that I couldn't run in New York,” Rebekah says. |
But she is pressing ahead with efforts to reduce the child abuse rate in Tokoroa and will keep up her fundraising efforts and her links with Jigsaw.
Under the slogan “Cherish Our Children” Rebekah is campaigning to make Tokoroa a better place to raise children and to provide strong role models for fathers and step fathers.
She has already enlisted the help of many Tokoroa businesses, along with her employer Carter Holt Harvey, and has wide support from friends and workmates.
Cherish Our Children is seeking volunteers to set up a project group to discuss practical steps that can be taken to reduce child abuse and neglect and promote positive parenting skills. Visit the Cherish Our Children website to learn more.
Jigsaw in the media
Family Times magazine article - 'Changing perceptions of fatherhood'. What kind of a dad are you?
Dominion Post (30 October) - Jigsaw’s Tau Huirama calls for wider adoption of Whanau Ora approach
Dominion Post (30 October) - 'Life is still a struggle on PM's streets of shame'. A look at the issues facing families this election – Jigsaw’s Liz Kinley says there must be investment in preventing child abuse by providing early intervention and in changing community attitudes.
Waatea News (2 November) - 'Tamariki capture in welfare agencies'
Radio NZ Nine to Noon (3 November) - 'Pike River mining disaster almost one year on'. Kathryn Leafe from Jigsaw partner Focus Trust talks about the community response and work with families.
Dominion Post (4 November) - 'Child advoctes slam National's DPB policy'
Jigsaw hopes phone line will connect schools and community groups dealing with vulnerable children
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Jigsaw hopes a new dedicated phone line for teachers and schools to report suspected child abuse to Child Youth and Family will lead to more community services working to support children and families. Since the end of September, teachers and schools have been able to use a direct phone line to report their concerns to Child Youth and Family. |
Jigsaw Chief Executive Liz Kinley welcomes any move to help schools and teachers feel more confident and have easier access to CYF to talk over their concerns.
She hopes the phone line will also bring together schools, CYF and community networks like Jigsaw to meet the needs of kids who are not in immediate danger, but who also aren’t thriving.
“Teachers are often the first to spot signs that something is not right within a family, whether it is from lack of food, or emotional or physical abuse, or other underlying family problems such as drug and alcohol abuse,” Liz says.
She says she hopes CYF will be able to put teachers in touch with a wider range of community services that can work alongside families.
Liz says teachers must also be given more support and training to recognise that what they’re seeing might be abuse or neglect.
“The earlier someone intervenes if they suspect child abuse, the better the outcomes can be for the children involved,” she says.
Jigsaw inspires ordinary people to step up and speak out about child abuse in their communities
Jigsaw is delighted that more and more ‘everyday’ New Zealanders are being inspired to take action and speak out about child abuse.
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Take for instance, Debbie Walker from Shannon. Debbie brought her local community together in August for a Family Fun Netball day that saw about 170 people enjoy a day of sport, face painting and family activities. At the same time Debbie took Jigsaw’s messages about positive family interaction and preventing violence and child abuse to a wide, grass roots audience. 12 teams battled it out for the trophy, including the local fire brigade, the rugby football club, work social groups, and family teams. A family team called “One Love” won the tournament. The Netball Fun Day raised more than $700 for Jigsaw and supporters handed out pamphlets about Jigsaw’s work. Debbie has now been approached to make it an annual event. “I chose Jigsaw because it is made up of organisations from all over New Zealand and does magnificent work in helping to prevent child abuse and family violence,” Debbie says. |
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She says she is also really impressed at all the support Jigsaw provides for whanau.
“I am a mother of four and between me and my partner we have eight children. Children are our future and it’s our job as parents to give them the best head start in life we could give them.”
Well done Debbie! You are a true inspiration.
eNews September 2011
Welcome to Jigsaw's first eNews, an update of a few of the things we've been up to and some that we've got planned. Please feel free to share this news with your work colleagues, friends, family, whanau and community networks.
'Whanau ora through children's eyes' - Jigsaw national conference, Te Papa, Wellington, 2-4 November
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Join the vibrant discussion at this year's conference and discover how to put children at the heart of whanau ora and family centred practice. Jigsaw's 'whanau ora through children's eyes' conference provides a unique opportunity to consider where a focus on the safety and needs of our children fits within your role and organisation. |
This is a conference for anyone working with whanau and families where there may be children experiencing violence, abuse, and neglect, or where parents and families may need extra support to raise their children so that they thrive and flourish.
Visit the Jigsaw website for more information, to see the programme, and to register.
Prison staff and police unite in fight against child abuse
and neglect
Jigsaw’s message about protecting children and strengthening families has been taken to a new audience, thanks to a team of Corrections staff from Rimutaka Prison.
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They’ve done it in a slightly unconventional way – through a charity boxing match against police staff. The event, held in March, raised $10,000 for Jigsaw. Chief Executive (Strategic Relationships) Tau Huirama says it is wonderful that the group took the initiative and organised an event that engaged the participants' workplaces, families and community in an event that benefitted children. “It boosted morale among prison staff, helped some of the participants lose weight and gain more energy to spend with their children and families. It also raised awareness in their communities about the work Jigsaw does and how we can all play our part to make a difference together,” Tau says. |
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“We commend the organisers and participants for taking a strong stand against all forms of child abuse and family violence. We sincerely thank them for their dedication and hard work.”
The funds raised will help support Jigsaw’s work protecting children and strengthening families.
Jigsaw helps DHBs offer more relevant family violence services
to Maori
Jigsaw’s advice and support is helping District Health Boards improve the way they support Maori adults and children who are experiencing violence within their whanau.
Chief Executive (Strategic Relationships) Tau Huirama says, “We know that services that incorporate traditional Maori values and which involve the wider whanau are likely to achieve better outcomes for Maori.”
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Jigsaw has contributed to new Ministry of Health guidelines for family violence intervention (due to be published in 2012), which will provide health professionals with practical advice about how to take a strengths-based, whanau ora approach to support Maori families. Jigsaw is also working with New Zealand’s hospitals to develop a workforce development plan to help DHBs deliver high quality Family Violence Intervention (VIP) programmes that involve Maori in all stages of service design, delivery and evaluation. |
Jigsaw is also helping District Health Boards build relationships with local whanau, hapu and iwi to deliver high quality services.
World Social Marketing conference confirms Jigsaw’s community action initiatives are well on track
Jigsaw Chief Executives Tau Huirama and Liz Kinley recently attended the world non-profit social marketing conference in Dublin, bringing back a wealth of ideas on how to inspire families and whanau to improve their lives.
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For Liz the conference was incredibly affirming. “One of the themes was co-creation of values, meaning that you respect people and work with them on a shared goal, rather than impose a programme or ideology on them.” “It showed me that Jigsaw is on the right track, that our social action campaigns like extra ordinary dads and Many Voices One Purpose, and our community development approach is in line with the latest findings about what works," Liz says. "The way Jigsaw partners with local champions to co-design the best ways to engage friends, neighbours and communities in support of their children and families was the key theme of the conference. It also stretched our thinking around evaluation and results based accountability, so we are currently identifying new ways to measure and record the results of our work and the way we are making a difference for children and families on the ground." Tau, whose travel was made possible through Lottery Grants Board funding, also experienced first hand a UK programme for teenage dads. The programme, run by Norman Nur and the team at Barnardos in Newcastle on Tyne, makes contact with young men through the antenatal scan process and works with them and the mothers of their babies from before the child is born, through birth and infancy and into early childhood. Tau is now looking at how that fits in with Jigsaw’s own extra ordinary dads campaign and ways the UK experience may feed into Jigsaw's work. |
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In the media
Jigsaw is frequently approached for media comment or contributions. Here's a few recent examples you may like to catch up on if you missed them first time around:
Radio New Zealand 'Insight' documentary on child abuse (24 July) - Sally Christie joins in discussion of ideas put forward to try and reduce the rates of child abuse and neglect
Newstalk ZB 'Larry Williams Show' (25 August) - Liz Kinley responds to the coroner's report on the death of Nia Glassie
Spasifik magazine article (September/October issue) - 'How to speak out if you suspect a child is in need of help'
TVNZ One News and Radio New Zealand 'Morning Report' (2 September) - Tau Huirama comments on the Every Child Counts research publication 'He Ara Hou - The New Pathway', on the impact of poverty for Maori and Pasifika children
Radio New Zealand 'Morning Report' (19 September) - Liz Kinley comments on new dedicated phone line for teachers and schools to report suspected child abuse
Jigsaw's contribution to solid action plan for children through Green Paper
Jigsaw is excited about the potential to improve the lives of children and reduce child abuse, through the Government’s Green Paper on Vulnerable Children.
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The Green Paper was launched in July, and Jigsaw’s Chief Executive (Strategic Operations) Liz Kinley says the challenge now is to come up with some concrete conclusions. “We want to see a solid action plan put in place to protect our children as a result of this process,” says Liz. “We don’t want to be asking these same questions in another 12 months.” In the next few months Jigsaw will be consulting with our partners about the best ways they think we can prevent violence and neglect and help our children reach their potential. |
There will be a facilitated conversation at our national conference in November, where interested people will have the opportunity to feed into Jigsaw’s response to the Green Paper.
Read and have your say on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
