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    Te Ara Whānau Ora (A pathway to whānau wellbeing) : exploring the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora navigators : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University, Manawatū), Aotearoa (New Zealand)
    (Massey University, 2020) Cherrington, James Martin
    This thesis is about Whānau Ora, whānau-centred practice and an aspirational strengths-based whānau-centred practice framework called Te Ara Whānau Ora (a pathway to whānau wellbeing), it explores the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators who work in the Te Tihi O Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance.This insider research explores and illustrates the unique combination of knowledge from Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā that Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators at Te Tihi O Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance use in their practice. It explores how this skilled workforce is able to go beyond crisis intervention and empower whānau to dream and achieve their moemoeā (dreams and aspirations).Six Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators were interviewed to find out how they define whānau-centred practice and how they use it to generate social and transformative change for the whānau they walk alongside. A qualitative research method that utilises a Māori-centred approach and is underpinned by the principles of Kaupapa Māori research was used to explore the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators.Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) interviews were used to explore the knowledge, wisdom and experience of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators.Thematic analysis was used to analyse the rich data generated from the interviews. A Te Ara Whānau Ora framework was then used to confirm the applicability of the themes generated by this analysis. The findings of this research indicate that Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators define whānau-centred practice as: whānau led, whānau determined, whānau controlled, promoting whānau leadership and building whānau capabilities. Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators entered their profession with the cultural capital necessary to operationalise ‘Te Korowai O Te Ao Māori’ (the protective cloak of the world of Māori). Te Ara Whānau Ora is a transformational process that focusses on the moemoeā (dreams and aspirations) of whānau, what whānau want. It is the focus on whānau moemoeā that enables Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators to work in a way that is not deficit, challenge or issue focussed. When you focus on the moemoeā of whānau the crises solve themselves and whānau achieve sustainable change.
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    Social work encounters of the first kind : child protection social workers' experiences of preparing for, and meeting their clients for the first time : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Bowden, Sandra Eva
    This research investigates the experiences of child protection social workers as they prepare to meet the client families they work with for the first time. It is important to understand the experiences of social workers in child protection as first contact with clients is a critical time and the experience lays the foundation for any ongoing relationship. The study speaks to social workers experiences on the “front line” and adds to the body of knowledge evolving in the home visiting space. The study applied a qualitative framework and employed semi-structured interviews to gather rich, descriptive data of social worker experience. The results found that child protection social workers practice in an environment constructed as a neoliberal process that positions risk and mitigating risk as sacrosanct ahead of welfare or supporting families in need. This construction pervades the first contact space and constrains a social work process. Recommendations call for the reconstruction of first contact in child protection as a critically reflexive process that is relationship focussed and accounts for structural inequalities.
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    Te hā o te whānau : how Māori social service practitioners support whānau affected by whānau violence : Te hā o te whānau : how Māori social service practitioners support whānau affected by whānau violence
    (Massey University, 2015) Newth, Alamein
    There is a dearth of knowledge regarding violence and Māori whānau written from the perspectives of Māori women, social service practitioners and other professionals, however, the literature comes from a national perspective. Literature from a local perspective is sparse on how Māori whānau affected by whānau violence are supported. This research explores the perspectives of four Māori social service practitioners on how they support whānau affected by whānau violence in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region. This research focuses on the exploration of a whole of whānau approach to whānau violence. It is not aimed at individuals. Rather, it is recognised that each person is a part of a collective and in terms of whānau violence, collective healing needs to occur. Consulting Māori social service practitioners about effective interventions and barriers to effective interventions may contribute to more beneficial outcomes for whānau, now and into the future so mokopuna grow up in violence-free homes. This research project draws on a kaupapa Māori qualitative methodology and a semi structured focus group interview was conducted with four Māori social service practitioners. The results of the research are consistent with the reviewed literature regarding the effects of colonisation on Māori, however, some new perspectives were offered regarding supporting whānau in rural communities. Government policy, decisions and funding that impacted on Māori social service practitioner’s ability to support whānau is of considerable concern. The formulation, design and implementation of kaupapa Māori interventions in the Eastern Bay of Plenty would be a step in a positive direction in order to effectively support whānau.
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    Are we failing them? : an analysis of the New Zealand criminal youth justice system : how can we further prevent youth offending and youth recidivism? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Johnson, Charlotte
    Youth crime is a prominent social issue in New Zealand that causes emotional and physical harm and loss to the numerous victims. This research provides an analysis of the current youth criminal justice system in New Zealand, beginning with a timeline of the history and evolvement of the youth justice system to illustrate how New Zealand has arrived at the present system. The drivers of youth crime and youth involvement in criminal offending were found to be initially born from a lack of engagement with education; neurological disorders; learning difficulties and mental illness; as well as the impact of young people’s childhood, which can include exposure to family violence; drug and alcohol abuse. Comparative policy evaluation was applied with comparative methodology and comparative cross national research to undertake an analysis of the youth justice system in New Zealand. International comparisons were used to discover plausible and practical improvements to the current youth justice system in New Zealand. The OECD countries used in the comparative analysis included Canada, Scotland, England & Wales, United States and Austria, who between them have significantly diverse and contrasting youth justice models ranging from welfare, care and protection centred models, to community-based rehabilitation models; preventative education and support to punitive models in their response to youth crime. ii It was found that several aspects of New Zealand’s current youth justice system function well when compared internationally. However, the comparative analysis also highlighted that New Zealand’s youth justice system presents a problematic gap in both the sheer lack of preventative methods in response to youth offending as well as community support during the rehabilitation stage. A number of policy recommendations are included within this report in response to the present shortcomings of the existing youth justice system in New Zealand. These policy recommendations provide practical solutions; adopting a preventative policy focus with plausible improvement suggestions to the existing youth justice system. The objectives are to ameliorate the youth justice system to better support youth offending and youth recidivism.
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    More than a death : dangerous dynamics and their impact on social work practice at the Children, Young Persons and their Families Agency : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Attrill, Paula Maree
    Child deaths are a tragic and sadly, all to familiar occurrence for child protection services both in New Zealand and abroad. It is the authors view that, to date, the response provided in the wake of such tragedies has been to review cases with a view to ascertaining the degree of fault or blameworthiness apparent in the manner in which the child protection service managing the case, acted. Having determined this, action is then taken to alter systems and procedures with a view to preventing future deaths. While the result of this is at times successful in rectifying elements of process or systems failure, this kind of response does not take into account the impact that a range of dangerous dynamics may have had leading up to and at the time the child died. This research takes a fresh look at five cases known to the Children Young Persons and their Families Agency where children on the caseloads of Social Workers died from non-accidental injury. A range of dangerous dynamics are identified and defined. These are then applied to each of the sample cases with a view to determining whether or not they were apparent leading up to and at the time the children died. Conclusions are drawn on the basis of the findings and recommendations are made with respect to future management of cases where dangerous dynamics exist in the relationships Social Workers have with families with which they are working. The purpose of this research is twofold. The author's primary intention is to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge that exists with respect to understanding child deaths and the role Social Workers have in relation to such tragedies. In addition, it is intended that the findings of this research will contribute to the prevention of future deaths of children on the caseloads of child protection workers.