RTLB SERVICE AND HAMILTON CHILDREN’S TEAMS INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
In July 2011, the Government released a Green Paper for Vulnerable Children to canvas the views of New Zealanders on how we help prevent child abuse and neglect. The views submitted informed the decisions made by the Government, which are now outlined in the White Paper for Vulnerable Children. A Vulnerable Children’s Bill was introduced to Parliament in September 2013. The development and implementation of Children’s Teams are a key part of the Government’s wider plan to support vulnerable children and their families.
Definition of vulnerability
Vulnerable children are children who are at significant risk of harm to their wellbeing now and into the future as a consequence of the environment in which they are being raised, and in some cases, due to their own complex needs. Environmental factors that influence child vulnerability include not having their base emotional, physical, social, developmental and/or cultural needs met at home or in their wider community.
The White Paper for Vulnerable Children, Volume 1, 2012
Hamilton Children’s Team
The Hamilton Children’s Team and the Vulnerable Children’s Hub were officially launched on 1 September 2015. The Hub is the contact point for professionals and practitioners wishing to notify the Children’s Team Panel about a child they have concerns about. The Children’s Team Panel, comprising of a range of sector practitioners is responsible for determining a child’s acceptance to the Children’s Team in response to the referral.
A Lead Professional is assigned by the Panel to an accepted referred child, and then a Child Action Team established by the Lead Professional. The Children’s Action Team brings together practitioners and professionals from the iwi/Maori, health, education and social services sector to develop a single plan – the Child Action Plan - to help and support each vulnerable child. Its membership is informed by the assessment process and may include those professionals already delivering services to the child. The Child Action Plan helps communities take the lead in identifying vulnerable children, children at risk of abuse and neglect, and working together to help them thrive, achieve and belong.
The Hamilton Children’s Team Director is Cathy Holland.
For further information regarding the Hamilton Children's Team click here.
RTLB SUPPORT
RTLB can be part of a Children’s Action Team, where that child is already receiving RTLB service. Our role will be to support the Lead Professional, collaborate with the Team, contribute to the Child Action Plan for that child, and continue our work of supporting the school to meet the education needs of the child.
A Lead Professional and Child’s Action Team may determine that RTLB support is needed for a child. Procedures are currently being developed to ensure there is a clear and consistent pathway to access RTLB service. As we do not wish RTLB to be contacted directly, if an Agency/Lead Professional contacts your school about a child who is or is not currently on an RTLB roll and wants RTLB involvement please direct them to contact:
Gayle Howe, Vulnerable Children Lead RTLB
Ph: 07 839 4911
gayle@hamwest.school.nz
To contact the Vulnerable Children's Hub click here.
“We want Hamilton to be a great place for all children to grow up in where they can thrive, achieve, and belong. Children have a right to have all their needs met and to be safe from abuse and neglect” – Cathy Holland, Hamilton Children’s Team Director