Supporting the development of Whānau Child Protection Champions Enhancing the wellbeing of children, families, whānau and communities

Presentation outline Outline Peer Support and benefits How a Peer Support approach can improve outcomes for children, whānau and communities Contrast and similarities between Peer Support and Social Work Introduce the You Matter to Us project Supporting the development of Whānau Child Protection Champions

What is Peer Support? “Peer Support is a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful … It is about understanding another’s situation empathetically through the shared experience of emotional and psychological pain… and this relationship presents an excellent framework to explore personal and relational change”. Mead, Hilton and Curtis (2001) Shift the focus from the shared experience of emotional and psychological pain to the shared experience of overcoming the experiences and enduring effects of family violence. Parallel observation to social work – taking a strengths-based approach rather than a deficit focused approach

Aviva Specialist Peer Support Represents the hope and evidence that a fulfilled life free from violence is achievable Demonstrates that overcoming family violence is something to be proud of and share Enhance social skills; reduce isolation, stigma, shame Catalyst for change – attract and influence others within family, whānau and communities Specialist Peer Support draws on the experience of women and men who have overcome family violence to offer inspiration and support to those on their own journey. Specialist Peer Support provides the connection of shared experience and understanding when it comes to family violence. A ‘peer’ represents hope and the tangible evidence that a life free from violence is achievable. They are the embodiment of the possibility of a better, safer life and they also demonstrate that overcoming family violence is something to be proud of and to share.   The value of specialist peer support is well established across a broad range of health and social needs, but it is a new service model for family violence in New Zealand. Research into peer support indicates that when it is coupled with other services, client outcomes are significantly improved. We believe that Specialist Peer Support adds yet another layer to the range of support already offered by Aviva.

Forms of Peer Support Formal and informal Natural peer support Structured peer support: group and 1-2-1 Paid Peer Support Natural peer support Structured peer support Self help groups run by volunteers Internet online support groups Peers offering support via the telephone Service user drop-in centres Independent peer run organisations Peer support within mainstream organisations Paid Peer Support

Peer Support and Social Work Similarities Differences Empathy and compassion Relationship based and collaborative Strengths-based approach Commitment to social change and social development Clarity around roles and boundaries Professionalism – ethical framework Trauma informed Mutual and intentionally shared experience Talk from the place of peer Theories and models of practice Long term Reframing experience

Peer Support and Social Work - Activity Vulnerability Community Professional

You Matter to Us – Linwood Wellbeing and Belonging Project Operating in in two Eastern Suburbs in Christchurch (Linwood and Woolston) since 2014 Focus on first 1000 days of a child’s life Engaging all ECE centres, connecting kaiawhinas with ECEs, mobile hub, interagency wellbeing team Focused on enhancing child welfare, brain development and wellbeing in the 3 – 5 year old age group A new initiative is being developed for introduction to two east Christchurch communities (Linwood and Woolston), called 1000+; this focusses on the 1000 days of a child’s life before they turn five and enter the school system. This initiative is being facilitated by a Ministry of Education community-based employee, Jan Dobson. 1000+ is part of a wider collective impact ecosystem of initiatives, called “You Matter to Us - the Linwood Wellbeing and Belonging Project”, in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch. Since 2014 a range of initiatives have already been implemented under this project, including engaging with all early childhood centres, connecting Kaiawhinas with ECEs, operating a mobile hub to provide information and an opportunity for connection, and developing an interagency wellbeing team. An important part of this process has been co-creation with the community and identifying whānau leads. The 1000+ Development Team comprises (amongst others) Aviva Operations Manager Elaine Lucey, Leadership Lab member Chris Jansen (who specializes in Collective Impact projects and studies), University of Canterbury researchers, Plunket, and whānau leads from the local communities, in order to co-construct a framework for ensuring and enhancing child welfare, brain development, and wellbeing in the three - five age group. Aviva and Child Matters can bring child protection training expertise, family violence reduction and elimination expertise, and support for family and whānau to the 1000+ initiative. Together they can support family and community members to understand the importance of protecting the young people in their lives, and how to do that more effectively. There is significant evidence that children who are exposed to insecurity, neglect and/or violence, are disadvantaged in the long-term in a broad range of ways. A Unicef report (Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence in Children) notes that “Children who are exposed to violence in the home are denied their right to a safe and stable home environment… (they) need trusted adults to turn to for help and comfort, and services that will help them to cope with their experiences.” As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Whānau Child Protection Champions Co-designed project with whānau, community and professionals, aimed to develop the understanding, confidence and skills of those closest to children Aimed to prevent child vulnerability and harm and support safer families, whānau and children Bringing together those with lived experience and those working in the community to provide a deeper level of practice Develop safe foundations to work together as community based whānau child protection champions Aviva and Child Matters are co-designing, developing and piloting a Community Child Protection and Wellbeing Programme. This pilot programme aims to develop the understanding, confidence and skills of those closest to vulnerable children – their whānau, caregivers, and educators – as community-based whānau child protection champions or advocates. By developing whānau child protection champions the programme aims to prevent child vulnerability and harm and support safer families, whānau and children.