Other Agencies / Support Services
A list of helpful services, websites and resources on various topics for supporting tamariki and whānau
Anxiety:
- Triple P- Fear Less: Online course, whānau sign up and go at their own pace.
- Family doctor (GP): Can make an assessment and explore appropriate treatment and referral options, including referring to Child, Adolescent and Family (CAF) services if required.
- Pukumanu Centre: Run by the University of Canterbury’s Child and Family Psychology programme, it provides assessments and interventions on a short-term basis for tamariki and whānau not currently receiving support from other agencies.
- Anxiety NZ: Advice for parents and caregivers for supporting anxious kids.
- Mental Health Foundation: For information about anxiety including symptoms, treatment options and strategies to support recovery.
Autism:
- The Buddy Zone offers programmes for the following;
ASD, Challenging Behaviour, Anger Management, Anxiety, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysnomia, PDA and Twice Exceptional. We also have programmes for children who display developmental delays in one or more of the following areas; cognitive performance, speech/language development, social skills, self-help skills or other behavioural disorders. - Socially Speaking: Supports tamariki who have challenges with social interaction skills, executive functioning skills, sensory processing and oral language. They also offer Lego therapy, evidence-based treatment designed to increase the social competencies of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
- Altogether Autism: supporting whānau with an ASD diagnosis. They offer resources, support, workshops, connecting parents, coffee dates for parents, sibling camps for those with ASD diagnosed siblings.
Community-based support for whānau:
Emotional Regulation:
- Feel Brave: Feel brave creates content (books and videos) that helps children manage tough emotions and reach their creative potential. It was founded by Avril McDonald who is the author of the award-winning, best-selling Feel Brave series of books which have been translated into seven different languages and are used and loved all over the world.
- Enabling Youth: works with at risk Youth/Rangatahi and young people between 11 and 30 years of age (Christchurch and North Canterbury) and 12 – 18 (South Canterbury). The “Getting it Together” programme involves 10 – 15 sessions. The individualised programme operates each week, with face-to-face sessions and supported learning, while young people are engaged in the programme. Participants are supported or expected to practice their learning throughout the week and review their progress with their tutor/clinician at the next session. Tutors/clinicians are available throughout the week to assist the young people and their whanāu. Some key challenges Enabling Youth target self-esteem, regulating emotions and behaviours, relationship management, coping with grief and loss, problem solving and life skills.
- Catholic Social Services: Support available for behaviour, parenting, mental health and wellbeing support. Referral form and more info on their website.
- Sparklers
- Smiling Mind
Grief and loss:
- Kenzie’s Gift: Kenzie’s Gift supports the mental health of tamariki (children), mātātahi (young people) and families affected by serious illness or grief within the family. They have grief kits and an extensive online resources.
- Apart of Me: Best for Intermediate aged kids 11+. A video game to support with the loss of a loved one.
- Pillars: Ka Pou Whakahou is a New Zealand charity supporting the children and whānau of people in prison to create positive futures for themselves.
- Seasons for Growth Programme: An 8 week programme based on the 4 seasons to explore change, loss, and grief. Adult and children programmes delivered by Catholic Social Services termly, dates updated on their website.
Parenting Support:
- Tuning into Kids & Teens: see Mana Ake website for up-to-date times available during term.
- Presbyterian Support Family works: Social work, Counselling, Psychology, Incredible Years and Incredible Years Autism. Tuning into Kids, Tuning into Teens. Awhina Mai.
- Barnardos: Child and Family Wellbeing support. Parenting Support & Parenting through Separation. Leap: LEAP social work support for children and whānau facing multiple challenges.
- Birthright Canterbury: Suitable for one-parent whānau. Home visits from social workers who work alongside whānau to plan and set goals. Support for whānau to engage with other community services. Low-cost, whānau-friendly events during school holidays and for special occasions Parenting groups. Email zn.gr1788826343o.hch1788826343cthgi1788826343rhtri1788826343b@rot1788826343artsi1788826343nimda1788826343 for a referral form, or Phone the service on (03) 366-9456 or 0800-457-146.
- Catholic Social Services: Counselling, courses and parenting supports and programmes. See website for further details.
- Kidz need Dadz: Kidz Need Dadz’ mission is to help New Zealand men be the best fathers they can be. Through education and support they help dads to play an active part in their children’s lives. Fatherhood courses. Anger management courses. Whānau dispute resolution mediation. Emotional and practical support: for at-home, teen, expectant, and solo dads; with depression, grief, loss, separation anxiety; for fathers of special needs children.
- Home and Family: Parenting, Child and Teen support.
Social Skills:
- Talk Together: A private specialist social skills group provider. They support children with mild to moderate social communication challenges. They run termly groups for kids to sign up to. Check out the current timetable to find the closest group to you. There are online options too.
- Involvement in activities: Encourage involvement in community activities to stretch their comfort zone and get them interacting with other tamariki. Eg. Scouts, Girl Guides, Youth groups, Sports clubs.
- Eastern Community Sports: A range of sport and recreation programmes to encourage people in the east to live an active life. They have basketball drop-ins at Rawhiti domain for children 7+ and various other free active opportunities for whānau.
Other:
