July 2014 – June 2015
Waitomo action plan
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change a A vibrant, inclusive, unified community that young people are proud to be part of and contribute to.
Trialling new approaches to social sector change Contents The Social Sector Trials 02 The change for 2014–2015 02 Governance of the Social Sector Trials 02 About this Plan 03 The Waitomo District 04 Progress and priorities 06 The visual story 09 Implementing this Plan 10 The actions 11 1. Reduce truancy and improve participation in education 11 2. Reduce offending 16 3. Decrease alcohol and other drug abuse 18 4. Improve participation in further education, training and employment 20 5. Support collaboration, coordination and communication 21
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 01 The Social Sector Trials Social Sector Trials (SSTs/Trials) are operating in 16 communities around New Zealand. The Waitomo District was one of the first six SST communities and the Trial has been in place since March 2011. The term of these first six Trials has been extended and will continue operating until at least 30 June 2015.
This document is the third SST Action Plan for Waitomo. Please refer to earlier action plans for SST background information, local data and progress information.
This is available at www.msd.govt.nz/social-sector-trials
The change for 2014–2015 The SSTs focus on improving outcomes that reflect the needs of the community. In the Waitomo District, the SST has been focused on improving outcomes for 12–18 year olds through: • reduced truancy • reduced offending • reduced alcohol and other drug abuse • increased participation in education, training and employment.
From 1 July 2014, the focus population for these outcomes expands to 5–18 years old. This enables an increase in prevention and ability to address the underlying causes of poor outcomes earlier, in order to achieve more sustainable, positive outcomes for children and young people. Although measures of success have to date been focused on the progress of young people (12–18), a number of the actions under the SST have already included the 5–11 year old age group. Examples of the Trial working in this space include the Attendance Service, the Truancy Cross-agency Case Management Forum that covers both primary and secondary schools, the Youth Offending Team, Alcohol and Other Drug Forum, the Te Punanga Haumaru (cyber-bullying) project, which involved young people spreading the messages about bullying to children at a primary age, and the Breakaway holiday programmes involving more than 300 children a year. The age extension allows us to be more explicit about including services and stakeholders with specific expertise in dealing with the younger age group. It will allow us to explore the potential for improved support for these children and their families and to make a sustainable difference to the outcomes of young people.
Governance of the Social Sector Trials
National governance The Chair of the Cabinet Social Policy Committee (SOC) has ultimate responsibility for the SSTs. A Ministerial sub-committee provides oversight and decision-making for the SSTs. The Ministerial sub-committee is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Chair of the Cabinet Social Policy Committee (and Minister of Health), Minister of Education, Minister for Social Development, Minister of Police and Minister of Youth Affairs.
02 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 A Joint Venture Board, comprising the chief executives of the ministries of Social Development, Health, Education, Justice and the New Zealand Police, acts as a governance group for the SSTs. The Chair of the Joint Venture Board is the Chief Executive of Social Development. A Director: Social Sector Trials has responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the SSTs.
Advisory group A local advisory group has been in place since March 2011 and will remain in place for 2014–15. The group acts as a mechanism for collaboration and communication and ensures the endorsement and ownership of the Plan. The advisory group in the Waitomo District is made up of stakeholders who represent decision makers and leaders. Local members include: • District Mayor • Principal, Te Kuiti High School • Head of Department Māori, Te Kuiti High School • Deputy Principal, Piopio College • Representative, Maniapoto Māori Trust Board • Representative, Tuia Rangatahi Roopu • Sergeant, New Zealand Police • Pastor, Journey Church • SST Manager • General Manager, Maniapoto FM.
Regional support is provided by: • New Zealand Police (NZ Police) • Ministry of Education (MoE) • Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (Regional Commissioner and managers of Family and Community Services (FACS) and Child, Youth and Family (CYF)) • Te Puni Kōkiri • Waikato District Health Board (DHB).
New membership may be sought to provide expertise due to the age extension.
About this Plan This Plan represents a transparent commitment to the Waitomo District community of a work programme to improve outcomes for 5–18 year olds over the next 12 months. It outlines 43 actions that will be taken through the joined-up Trials approach, from 1 July 2014. Some actions are new, some remain as they were in 2014 (or earlier), and some are now going to be extended to a wider age group. These actions have been included on the basis that they were found to be effective in previous action plans and require continuation, are being further developed as identified or are new pieces of work that have been identified not just through the development of this Plan but from feedback and lessons learnt from young people, whānau, agencies and organisations over the last year.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 03 We have used the existing SST focus groups to develop the actions in this Plan for reducing truancy, offending and alcohol and other drug abuse. For each outcome, consideration has been given to not only what else can be done for young people over the next 12 months, but also how we can include the wider age group. Discussions were also held with the principals cluster group about the expansion of the Trial into younger years. It was identified that some time would be needed to understand the needs of the different schools and school communities. An action in this Plan is to work closely with this group to understand the greatest impacts on educational achievement for primary aged students and to identify where the SST may need to focus. In addition, any other areas that impact on the younger age group in relation to truancy, alcohol and other drug abuse, and offending will be explored. We still have a significant amount of work to do to embed strategies and actions that were identified by the community in the initial consultations. We are working to ensure these become sustainable. In addition, we have identified that key areas for us to focus on for the next 12 months are to build relationships/linkages that enable us to: • develop a more in-depth understanding of the barriers to educational achievement for 5–12 year olds • scope and coordinate training and employment opportunities for young people in Waitomo.
The Waitomo District Children and young people in the Waitomo District live in small communities. While Te Kuiti is the administrative and main trading centre in the District and considered the central point for service delivery, there are a number of small settlements, including, but not limited to Mokau, Awakino, Te Waitere, Taharoa and Oparure. The main rural communities are Benneydale, Piopio, and Waitomo Village. The usual resident population for the District was 8,910 at the time of the 2013 Census. This is a decrease of 534 people, or 5.7 per cent, since the 2006 Census. Te Kuiti includes 47.4 per cent of the District’s population.
Table 1: Usually resident population: By area unit, Waitomo District 2001, 2006, and 2013 Censuses Area unit Census usually resident population count 2001 2006 2013 Piopio 468 468 393 Taharoa 246 216 231 Mahoenui 538 480 399 Marokopa 1,569 1,572 1,536 Waipa Valley 960 984 1,050 Tiroa 72 81 51 Mokauiti 1,218 1,182 1,029 Te Kuiti 4,392 4,455 4,218 Total 9,453 9,438 8,910 Source: Statistics New Zealand, 2014
04 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Table 2: Breakdown of Waitomo District and Te Kuiti residents (according to age) Waitomo Te Kuiti Age 2006 2013 2006 2013 5 156 162 69 84 6 186 156 78 63 7 156 135 63 60 8 180 141 84 72 9 153 126 66 48 10 180 147 87 72 11 159 147 78 63 12 168 150 69 66 13 174 147 87 72 14 183 129 87 63 15 165 150 81 72 16 159 117 96 54 17 150 153 72 90 18 111 93 57 54 Total 2280 1953 1074 933 Source: Statistics New Zealand, 2014
Table 3: Breakdown of Waitomo District residents (according to age and area) 5–9 years 10–14 years 15–19 years Area 2006 2013 2006 2013 2006 2013 Piopio 48 27 45 24 27 33 Taharoa 30 21 24 24 9 18 Mahoenui 45 33 45 21 24 24 Marokopa 141 138 120 129 111 78 Waipa Valley 84 87 84 84 66 63 Mokauiti 117 81 129 96 75 69 Te Kuiti 363 327 411 336 372 321 Tiroa C 9 C C 6 6 Waitomo District 831 720 864 717 690 609 Source: Statistics New Zealand, 2014
Note: ‘C’ indicates very small numbers.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 05 ‘European’ is the most common ethnic group in Waitomo (65 per cent compared to 74 per cent nationally), followed by ‘Māori’ (41.8 per cent compared to 14.9 per cent nationally). In Te Kuiti, 52.8 per cent of residents identify as European, and 51.3 as Māori. The median age (half are younger, and half older than this age) of Waitomo residents is 38.0 years, compared with 35.8 years in Te Kuiti. Furthermore, 24.0 per cent of all Waitomo residents are under 15 years, compared with 23.9 per cent of people in Te Kuiti, and 20.4 per cent nationally. According to the NZDep2013 index of deprivation, the Waitomo District is one of the most socio-economically deprived areas of New Zealand. With a Decile 10 rating,1 the District has a wide range of income-related challenges that are compounded by its rural isolation. These challenges create many issues leading to disempowered families and communities struggling to survive, living day-to-day and therefore unable to see or plan for the future. For Māori aged 15 years and over, the median income (half earn more, and half less than this amount) in Waitomo District is $20,200, compared with a median of $22,500 for all Māori in New Zealand. In Waitomo District, 49.6 per cent of Māori aged 15 years and over have an annual income of $20,000 or less, compared with 46.3 per cent of Māori in New Zealand. At the time of the 2013 Census, there were 1953 children and young people aged 5-18 residing in the Waitomo District. This accounts for 21.9 per cent of the total population of the District population (8910 people), 47.8 per cent of whom lived in Te Kuiti. Progress and priorities
Truancy In the truancy space, priority within the Trial has been given to non-enrolled truants. These are the young people who become disengaged from the school for long periods of time and come off the school roll. This is the most at-risk type of truancy and differs entirely from students who are always late, or dislike certain subjects or times of day. The new approach to this group of young people is being rewarded with a locally recorded increase of case closure from 18 per centknowledge in 2010 to 100 per cent in 2013. The approach requires an investment in the relationships between young people and their whānau (particularly those new to town), the management of attendance by schools and the proactive approach needed by organisations and agencies that may become aware of the presence of school aged children in the home who are not attending school. The Cross-agency Truancy Working Party, which includes the Waitomo Integrated Attendance Service, has had considerable success in these areas. The focus for the next 12 months is to continue the message that ‘Every day at school counts’, and increase referrals by schools for unjustified absences. The evaluation of the Attendance Audit with all schools will also help to measure not only truancy but attendance rates across the District.
1 NZDep2013 is an updated version of the NZDep2006 index of socioeconomic deprivation. NZDep2013 combines census data relating to income, home ownership, employment, qualifications, family structure, housing, access to transport and communications. NZDep2013 provides a deprivation score for each meshblock in New Zealand. Meshblocks are the smallest geographical area defined by Statistics New Zealand, with a population of around 60–110 people. NZ Dep2013 groups deprivation scores into deciles, where 1 represents the areas with the least deprived scores and 10 the areas with the most deprived scores. A value of 10 therefore indicates that a meshblock is in the most deprived 10 per cent of areas in New Zealand. http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/nzdep2013-index-deprivation
06 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Youth offending Youth offending has significantly decreased in Waitomo since 2011. Apprehensions have reduced by 64 per cent (from 129 apprehensions in 2011 to 47 in 2013). It is pleasing to see that youth offending during school hours has reduced from 29 offences during 2011 to seven in 2013. This correlates well with the focus on ensuring that more young people are being engaged in education and training. However, there is room for improvement in the Alternative Actions2 and Youth Justice Family Group Conference plans, which hold young people to account for their offending. These actions are intended to address the underlying causes of the offending and restorative justice approaches. A new cross-agency approach will be trialled in the next 12 months, where a position will be created within NZ Police to work across NZ Police, CYF and Corrections agencies (in relation to probation services) to ensure that support is in place to successfully complete Alternative Action and Family Group Conference plan requirements or sentences. For Corrections, this involves youth offenders completing community work away from more hardened adult offenders. The driver licensing programmes that were created directly in response to the number of fines accumulated by young people driving without a license in the Waitomo District will continue. Almost 75 per cent of the fines owing to the Ministry of Justice for 16–18 year olds were found to be driving related. Both learner and restricted driver license programmes are in place now. Since 1 January 2013, 166 young people have obtained their learner license and 99 their restricted license. Young people continually tell us that the driving programmes are critical to their staying on the right side of the law. Approximately 85 per cent of those advancing through the driving programmes could not do so without support to pay and prevent further driving-related fines, to keep the license they have, to stay out of court and to obtain employment. A defensive driving course is being piloted for those young people who have considerable driving experience and who need the restricted license period shortened to increase their chances of not offending and maintaining their employment (i.e. the young person may have the only vehicle in a household, or may transport a number of others to work daily). There are often many different factors involved in driving offences that are difficult to overcome, such as young people being ticketed for not having adequate supervision in the vehicle (as neither parent may have a license). We envisage that the need for support will decrease over time as we continue to reduce the large volumes of young people who have been unlicensed.
Alcohol and other drug abuse Whilst there are no current harm reduction statistics available at a local level to monitor the progress made around alcohol and other drug abuse, there is work underway to explore the availability of datasets for on- going measurement. Additionally, there is anecdotal evidence from local evaluation reports prepared by the Waikato DHB that highlight increased awareness among parents of young people around alcohol laws and harm reduction strategies, and evidence that young people are not being sold or supplied alcohol in licensed premises. In addition, there has been increased communication and collaboration between Trial partners and DHB and other local alcohol and drug services, which has strengthened monitoring of the alcohol and other drug components in the Plan. This is evident in the development of more actions within this Plan and the inclusion of actions targeting drug use (in particular marijuana) from a health promotion perspective and more youth events held at times when young people are more likely to be exposed to alcohol and other drugs.
2 Alternative Actions are an effective early intervention programme for youth who have committed an offence, where the offending is addressed outside the judicial system in compliance with the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 07 Education, training and employment In 2011, the SST was initially focused on students 12–18 years of age and in the township of Te Kuiti alone. Te Kuiti High School has carried out a significant amount of work to improve the attendance, achievement and engagement of all students. The effectiveness of these efforts is evident in the rising National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) rates for Level 1 as an indicator of progress. NCEA Level 2 and Māori students’ achievement rates have also significantly improved. With the recent geographical and age group extension, we have been able to build initiatives into this Plan that involve all secondary schools in the Waitomo District: Te Kuiti High School, Piopio College and Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, and explore new ways to support primary schools and primary school students. Further efforts are underway to understand how the transition between education, training and employment is working for young people in our community. Actions to identify outcomes and opportunities are in this Plan, as is the development of systems and processes to ensure vulnerable young people do not fall through the gaps. The partnership with Te Kura Correspondence School has flourished, and this has seen a number of exciting and new approaches to education for students who are no longer attending mainstream schools. Reviews of all Te Kura students in the Waitomo District will continue with MoE in partnership with Te Kura to ensure that students enrolled in correspondence schooling are still eligible and progress is collectively monitored. A calendar celebrating young people in the District who have achieved education, training and/or employment success was a highlight of the last action plan, with positive feedback from schools and the wider community on the importance of showcasing positive role models. As such, a 2015 calendar has been included in this Plan.
Coordination, collaboration and communication Youth leadership has flourished over the last 12 months. The Youth Council has undertaken substantial projects within the community, including the inaugural Waitomo’s Got Talent competition attended by over 500 community members, and the upgrade of the local skate park which included a new water fountain, a new basketball hoop, concreting and tree removal. TUIA, the Māori leadership forum under the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs, has also made a strong impact. TUIA has supported all secondary schools with motivational speakers and more recently have established Te Toitutanga o Te Nehehenui (a youth lead kapa haka roopu for youth). Young people have also played a key role in the cyber-bullying project (Te Punanga Haumaru), developing a local code of conduct for young people and delivering that to all participating schools in the District. Piopio College students also developed an outstanding interactive drama performance for primary schools that reinforced the messages but in a way that children could understand and appreciate. Efforts to continue this project will be explored in this Plan. Number Twelve has been set up as a hub for information, support and direction. Young people were clear when consulted that they wanted a safe place to hang out and get help if needed. It is also a setting for driver license training, support and development activities. There are eight computers, free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and a range of programmes in place to keep young people engaged. Following feedback from young people, musical instruments and equipment with recording capabilities will be included in this Plan to add to the suite of activities on offer at Number Twelve. Communication has been strengthened through a youth Facebook page which has over 500 registered members, quarterly newsletters and a new website to provide instant local and national information to young people and their families.
08 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 More than 800 young people participated in a range of youth events, holiday programmes and support for sports programmes between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. These activities are undertaken by real champions in our community: the teachers, tutors and coaches who make these opportunities available and do the bulk of the work to ensuring they occur. The SST provided some funding to support these initiatives and will continue to do so over the next 12 months. It is these positive activities that keep young people on positive pathways. The visual story
Te Kuiti Apprehensions of 12–18 year olds, 2010–2013 (inclusive)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0 2010 2011 2012 2013
Source: NZ Police 2014
This graph highlights the reduction in youth offending apprehensions of 12–18 year olds in the Waitomo District since the inception of the SST Youth Offending Team.
Te Kuiti Apprehensions of 12–18 year olds (within school hours), 2010–2013 40
30
20
10
0 2010 2011 2012 2013
Source: NZ Police 2014
This graph highlights the reduction in youth offending apprehensions during school hours. This aligns with the introduction of a truant-free business district and an increased community focus on truancy, and school engagement.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 09 Percentage of students at Te Kuiti High School who obtained Level 1 and Level 2 NCEA credits, 2011–2013
80
70
60
50 NCEA Level 1 40 NCEA Level 2
30
20
10
0 2011 2012 2013
Source: Te Kuiti High School 2014
This graph highlights the increase in Level 1 and 2 NCEA results at Te Kuiti High school. Implementing this Plan The work to deliver this Plan will be led through four outcome-focused sub-committees that operate in addition to the SST advisory group. These committees – the Attendance and Educational Achievement Working Party, the Alcohol and Other Drug Forum, the Youth Offending Team and a new Training and Employment Working Group– meet regularly to review progress and develop projects to improve outcomes.
10 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 The actions
1. Reduce truancy and improve participation in education Action Milestones Responsibility 1.1 Further develop a community team From 1 July 2014, the Truancy Working Lead: approach to school attendance. Party will meet monthly to: SST Manager • develop a working relationship and Truancy with local primary schools Working Party. • provide oversight for the Attendance Service and other SST truancy initiatives • provide wrap-around case management for truants. 1.2 Maintain and extend the social By 30 June 2015, the ‘Every school Lead: marketing campaign raising day counts’ campaign will have: KS Design. community and parental • given out 1500 fridge magnets Key partner: awareness of the importance • promote key messages through six Truancy of school attendance. radio advertisements and six posters Working Party. • become a well-recognised slogan in Waitomo. 1.3 Maintain an Integrated Attendance From 1 July 2014, the Attendance Lead: Service that achieves excellent Service will: Waitomo Integrated results for non-enrolled and • respond urgently to all referrals Attendance Service. non-attending students in • maintain a higher than 90 per cent Key partner: primary and secondary schools record of reintegration to the MoE. in our District. school environment for non-enrolled notifications • report to schools each term on outcomes achieved for their students by the Attendance Service.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 11 Action Milestones Responsibility 1.4 Review the effectiveness of the By 30 September 2014, complete Lead: Attendance Audit processes an evaluation of the Attendance Governance in improving attendance Audit, focusing particularly on the and Management management practices. implementation of recommended Solutions. improvements to attendance Key partner: management. Waitomo Integrated From 1 February 2015, commence the Attendance Service. identification of opportunities to better connect and support schools. 1.5 Organise a stocktake of By December 2014: Lead: issues impacting on the • carry out a series of discussions and SST Manager. educational achievement of interviews with key stakeholders primary school children. to understand the positive and negative influences on educational achievement of primary school children • investigate the extent and causes of behavioural problems among children and current practices and services to support these children and families. By February 2015, identify and get local agreement on where the SST can work with primary schools to support primary school children. By March 2015, develop a plan of action.
12 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Action Milestones Responsibility 1.6 Support Waitomo District By December 2014, undertake a Lead: secondary schools to be innovative tertiary road trip with senior students Te Wharekura in their efforts to engage students. and share interactive experiences o Maniapoto. with the youth community via the SST Facebook page, the website and the quarterly newsletter. By November 2014, ensure Te Kuiti Lead: High School implement the Positive Te Kuiti High School. Behaviour for Learning initiative. Key partner: MoE. Before June 2015, explore a new curriculum approach for senior students. From 1 July 2015, continue to pilot Lead: the ‘The Waitomo Award’ and the Piopio College. Vocational Pathway Tuesday projects in Piopio College. 1.7 Create opportunities for schools to By August 2014, deliver a bush-based Lead: work together to enable specialist project with 30 students from Alternative Education. NCEA courses. Te Kuiti High School, Te Wharekura Key partners: o Maniapoto, Piopio College and Can Train NZ, Te Alternative Education. Kuiti High School, By October 2014, provide an evaluation Te Wharekura o report to participating schools and the Maniapoto, Piopio SST advisory group. College and Alternative Education.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 13 Action Milestones Responsibility 1.8 Improve accountability to From 1 July 2014, continue six-monthly Lead: ensure that vulnerable young reviews of all Waitomo District SST Manager. people do not fall through primary and secondary students Key partners: gaps in education. (including Alternative Education Te Aho o Te Kura students) in Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Pounamu, MoE. to monitor students’ progress and their eligibility status. 1.9 Ensure that children in low-income By 30 June 2015, run two targeted Lead: houses are enrolled in school and campaigns through the Te Kuiti Work SST Coordinator, with medical services. and Income Service Centre (each one MSD (Work month in duration over the course and Income). of a 12-month period). These focus on financially assisted households that have children aged 5–18 years to ensure that: • they are enrolled in and attending school from the age of five or six (depending on when they start school) • they are enrolled with a general practitioner (GP) or enrolled with a medical practice that is part of a primary health organisation (PHO).
14 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Action Milestones Responsibility 1.10 Support the transition of vulnerable From 1 July 2014: Lead: young people into education, • Youth Service to support identified MSD (Work training and/or employment. young people (those who have and Income). transitioned from high school with no destination or who are currently not in education, employment or training; and eligible young parents) • Youth Service to provide six-monthly reports detailing the numbers of young people accessing the service, successes, barriers and opportunities to the SST advisory group • Work and Income to support and profile work-ready young people on Jobseeker Support to employers • Provide a Work and Income report every six months to the SST advisory group on the numbers of young people on Jobseeker Support, the number moved into employment or training (off benefit), the number of subsidies provided, barriers and opportunities. 1.11 Increase the successful transition By November 2014, develop a new Lead: for young people moving between shared database to increase monitoring, SST Manager. Alternative Education and communication and reporting between Key partners: mainstream schooling. enrolling schools, Alternative Education MoE, schools. and the MoE.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 15 2. Reduce offending Action Milestones Responsibility 2.1 Strengthen the cross-agency team From 1 July 2014 , the cross-agency Lead: approach to youth offenders. youth offending forum will meet NZ Police. bi-monthly to: • monitor the offending milestones in the Youth Action Plan to help reduce youth offending • case-manage identified offenders. 2.2 Implement new initiatives From 1 July 2014, Police will respond Lead: to provide fast, effective and to youth offending in Waitomo by: NZ Police. innovative Police response • implementing the Youth Resolutions Key partners: to youth offending. Tool and training of all staff in its Youth Offending application Team, SST Manager. • developing a process of early case consultation • providing weekly monitoring of caseloads • developing a video/audio process to allow offenders to hear from victims and victims hear from offenders in a meaningful way, to help young offenders take responsibility for their offending and increase victim participation. 2.3 Seek funding for the employment By December 2014, engage Lead: of a coordinator to work across a coordinator to: NZ Police. Police, CYF and Probation Services, • monitor and support the completion Key partners: to help reduce recidivist offending of Police Alternative Action plans MSD (CYF), by increasing the successful • provide the community work Department completion of plans and sentences. aspects of CYF Family Group of Corrections Conference plans (Probation Services). • supervise young people (17–20 years old) carrying out community work hours • secure employment opportunities for young people to help pay justice sector fines for the fines project.
16 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Action Milestones Responsibility 2.4 Reduce the number of From July 2014, and on a monthly basis: Lead: outstanding youth fines. • identify and secure potential work for Number Twelve. young people to pay off fines Key partners: • record and analyse payments made and NZ Police, MoJ. areas in which fines are accumulated • provide six-monthly reports to the youth offending forum. 2.5 Reduce the number of driving By 30 June 2015, provide support Lead: offences by increasing compliance to ensure: Number Twelve. through the provision of learner • a minimum of 70 young people Key partners: and restricted license training and achieve their Learner License NZ Police, Road Safety support, including driving lessons • a minimum of 40 young people Coordinator. and defensive driving. achieve the Restricted License. 2.6 Continue to offer the From 1 July 2014, continue to offer the Lead: Restricted Driving Pilot. Restricted Driving Pilot including: Te Kuiti • weekly learning support Community House. • free driving lessons where Key partners: need is identified Number Twelve, • transport to testing stations and New Zealand on-the-day support. Transport Agency, New Zealand Automobile Association. 2.7 Pilot a defensive driving course By November 2014, pilot a defensive Lead: for young people and/or their driving course for 10 identified at-risk Te Kuiti caregivers who are at risk of drivers to improve their driving skills, Community House. losing their license. as well as enable them to comply with Key partners: the terms of their restricted license and NZ Police, achieve their full license earlier. SST Manager.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 17 3. Decrease alcohol and other drug abuse Action Milestones Responsibility 3.1 Support coordination and From 1 July 2014, meet quarterly with Lead: collaboration across stakeholders the AoD forum to share information, AoD forum. involved in reducing alcohol and monitor the actions in the Plan and other drug (AoD) abuse. identify opportunities to work together. 3.2 Support the Waikato DHB Between June and October 2014, Lead: review of Drug and Alcohol participate in the review process, Waikato DHB. Services for Youth. and provide support by engaging Key partner: youth and whānau in community AoD Forum. focus groups. 3.3 Coordinate and enhance the From 1 July 2014, provide an alcohol Lead: specialist services available and other drug forum to monitor, on a Care NZ, Kokiri Trust to vulnerable young people quarterly basis, reports of activities Te Oranga Pai. experiencing harm from drugs and and outcomes: Key partner: alcohol in the Waitomo District. • for students in Te Kuiti High School AoD Forum. and Alternative Education (by Care NZ) • for all other students and young people (by Kokiri Trust Te Oranga Pai). 3.4 Campaign, through social From 1 July 2014, produce newspaper Lead: marketing, to reduce supply of media releases and run radio adverts Waikato DHB alcohol by adults to minors and by and interviews encouraging adults not (Population Health). young people 18 years and older. to supply alcohol to young people. By 30 November 2014, develop resources for young people with harm reduction messages. 3.5 Purchase and install screens and From July 2014 – March 2015: Lead: slide shows at 10 permanent sites • explore the placement of screens Waikato DHB to broadcast messages from local at off-license sites, service providers, (Population Health). youth and community champions Work and Income, secondary schools Key partners: about reducing harm from and Number Twelve Reducing Risk team, substance abuse. • increase the number of slides AoD forum. addressing drug issues and the promotion of service providers.
18 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Action Milestones Responsibility 3.6 Development and distribution By February 2015, complete Lead: of an AoD electronic tool – Whānau a design of the tool. Waikato DHB Pack – containing information (Population Health). By March 2015, disseminate from prevention to treatment, and the tool from screen sites. Key partner: support options. AoD forum. 3.7 Promote and support the Te Kuiti From 1 July 2014, to increase Lead: liquor ban to increase compliance compliance, promote understanding Waikato DHB and reduce alcohol-related harm. of the liquor ban rules through public (Population Health). workshops, and where possible, visible signage in public spaces. 3.8 Improve harm reduction messaging By 30 June 2015, develop signage and Lead: available to liquor license holders. resources to support harm reduction Waikato DHB messages through off, on and special (Population Health). license holders. 3.9 Monitor the license holders to From 1 July 2014, ensure two controlled Lead: ensure that they are complying purchase operations are undertaken NZ Police. with sales instructions. each year. 3.10 Encourage young people’s From 1 July 2014, support Students Lead: leadership around alcohol Against Driving Drunk (SADD) AoD forum. and other drugs. programmes and initiatives throughout the District, including the annual SADD quiz. 3.11 Promote young people and By April 2015, create a secondary school Lead: safer, thriving communities. billboard competition, with drug and Waikato DHB alcohol free messages. (Population Health). By May 2015, erect billboards. Key partners: SADD, schools, Waitomo Youth Council. 3.12 Provide positive alternative drug By December 2014, support three Lead: and alcohol free events e.g. alcohol and drug-free youth events Waikato DHB sports camps, make-up and fashion where AoD messages will be promoted. (Population Health) workshops, twilight pool party, (3 events), SST By June 2015, increase the total number movie nights. Manager (2 events). of events delivered to five.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 19 4. Improve participation in further education, training and employment Action Milestones Responsibility 4.1 Showcase successful By August 2014, work with education, Lead: Waitomo District education, training and business networks to profile SST Manager. training and/or employment 12 successful education, training and Key Partner: youth leaders/graduates. apprenticeship role models/graduates. Te Puni Kōkiri. By November 2014, develop a calendar for 2015 highlighting each person’s journey, the career pathway for each person and any other relevant information. 4.2 Develop partnerships with From 1 July 2014, continue delivering Lead: employers to increase access to the Maniapoto FM Taiohi radio show Maniapoto FM. training/jobs for young people. every week day, which includes providing employment and a youth voice for young people. From 1 July 2014, provide Maniapoto FM training and mentoring to the Taiohi show team. 4.3 Provide support to whānau through By August 2014, deliver a 10 week Lead: learning programmes. computers in homes programme to Number Twelve. 16 families with children at school, and Key partners: little computer knowledge and Computers in Homes, no computer at home. Therese Moriarty. By September 2014, celebrate graduates’ achievements in an awards evening. 4.4 Provide ongoing mentoring to From 1 July 2014: Lead: identified young people who • continue to provide a mentoring SST Manager. need tailored support to succeed project to support identified young in education, training and/or people in the Waitomo District to employment. develop skills enabling them to set and work towards positive goals in preparation for further education, training and/or employment • ensure the 30 young people identified with highest needs have personal action plans in place.
20 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 5. Support collaboration, coordination and communication Collaboration, coordination and communication are key contributors to the achievement of these outcomes. In addition to the four working groups, a range of structures and processes are in place in the Waitomo District to support collaboration and integration, and the collective impact in Waitomo District. These include:
Action Milestones Responsibility 5.1 Keep the community informed and From 1 July 2014: Lead: up to date with the latest youth • maintain and enhance the SST Manager. news, information, projects and Number Twelve website and supports available. the Facebook page • market the website using 70 promotional student backpacks given out via secondary schools • produce three newsletters before July 2015. 5.2 Provide support to whānau through By January 2015, deliver one parenting Lead: parenting programmes. programme for parents of primary Waitomo Parenting school aged children. Education Group. 5.3 Develop and support From July 2014, Waitomo District Lead: our future leaders. Council to participate in the TUIA Waitomo Leadership Forum as part of the District Council. Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs. By August 2014, develop and support Lead: a youth-led kapa haka roopu. TUIA Leaders. By June 2015, perform at two Key partner: community events. Number Twelve. From 1 July 2014: Lead: • maintain and further develop Waitomo the Youth Council District Council. • hold monthly Youth Council meetings. By March 2015: • hold the Youth Council annual leadership camp • develop skills to provide a submission to Council on the Annual Council Plan • host ‘The Waitomo’s Got Talent’ competition.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 21 Action Milestones Responsibility 5.4 Support community champions By June 2015: Lead: to continue to provide coaching/ • support a minimum of six SST Manager. cultural/music/arts programmes events hosted by the in the District. community champions • provide support through the community champions scheme to a minimum of 200 children and young people. 5.5 Maintain and develop the pro-social From July 2014: Lead: youth hub at Number Twelve • continue to provide free access Waitomo for youth information, support to computers and the internet for District Council. and direction. youth hub users Key partner: • continue to be open daily SST Coordinator. for information and support between 8:30am–5:30pm • continue to provide access to programmes and services that meet identified local needs. By October 2014, develop a music programme with recording capabilities for hub users. 5.6 Ensure the community understands By September 2014, provide an Lead: the role CYF have in the community. information session for school MSD (CYF). principals on CYF services and processes. By December 2014, deliver workshops to inform the community of the role of CYF and what families/organisations can expect from CYF services. 5.7 Look for potential homes in the By November 2014, deliver a Lead: community to provide respite campaign to increase caregivers MSD (CYF). and/or short and longer term in Waitomo District. Key partner: placements for children and young SST Manager. people in need.
22 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015 Action Milestones Responsibility 5.8 Run school holiday programs for From 1 July 2014, deliver a holiday Lead: children and young people in programme each school holiday break. Journey Church. the Waitomo District. Target for June 2015: 200 young people to attend holiday programmes in 2014–15. 5.9 Maintain the youth-led focus for the By August 2014, develop a project plan Lead: social media campaign targeting and funding application. Journey Church. cyber bullying and cyber safety. By June 2015, if the funding application is successful, implement the project.
Trialling New Approaches to Social Sector Change 23 24 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015
Engage our youth and community through leadership and success using collective knowledge and skills.
Published by the Ministry of Social Development on behalf of the Ministries of Health, Education, Justice and the New Zealand Police. ISBN: 978-0-478-32357-3 (Print) ISBN: 978-0-478-32358-0 (Online) 26 Waitomo Youth Action Plan July 2014–June 2015