Dot Greenfield - General Manager Helen Hall - Business Manager

Refocus: Helping at risk young people make the transition to a positive adulthood

Yes to Youth (Y2Y)

• • • • Social service that focuses on youth Formed in 2006 Branches in Porirua, Wanganui Currently establishing a branch in East Auckland

Vision and Mission

• Vision statement: For all young people to feel safe, accepted and confident in finding their place in the community.

• Mission Statement: To inspire, train, resource, support and empower young people to become functional and positive members of society.

Y2Y

Offers a wide range of youth services: C4Life – uses sports and performing arts as a vehicle to support young people to make positive choices in life.

Choice One – works with 18-24 year olds helping them gain life skills and work skills Refocus –a wrap around social work practice model Youth programmes and one-to-one mentoring Parenting programmes (for parents of teenagers and teenagers who are becoming parents themselves)

Refocus

Refocus

• • • • Initially worked with girls Now both genders Work with “at risk” young people Referrals from – community (especially parents) – CYF Care and Protection teams – Youth Aid and CYF Youth Justice

Refocus

• • • • The Refocus model is strengths based Developed from years of experience in social work Every young person and their family is treated as an individual.

Process to do the work with the young person

Refocus process

• • • Referral/Intake process Comprehensive needs assessment Tailor-made plans for – The young person – The significant adults in their life

Referral/Intake

• • • • • Referral Information is crucial to have Background of what the issues are Education background Health issues Offending

Needs assessment

• • • • • • Background Health Education Social wellbeing Family relationships Goals of the yp (and family)

Tailor-made plans

• • • • The young person needs to buy-in to the plan Important to establish a genuine relationship and connection with the young person Demonstrate belief in the young person Plans for significant people may need to challenge their thinking, beliefs and parenting skills.

How does it work

• • • • All about relationships With the young person The significant people that they see in their lives Identifying where the problem lies – is it with the young person or the adults in their life?

Putting the “blame” where it lies and not being afraid to tackle that issue with that person

Case Study

SALLY

SALLY

• • • • 13 years old Middle class, pakeha family Well educated parents High achiever in school

• • • • • Parents separated Angry Aggressive Bullying Lead others astray Ran away

Sally

Sally

• • • • • Took mothers car Drove an hour to another city Picked up two youths on the way Police called in Sally was charged

Sally

• • • Assessment Plan Interventions • • Worked with parents to change their thinking Supported family for around a year

Sally

• • • • Now 17 Life back on track Working as an office receptionist Regularly keeps in touch with Y2Y.

Refocus

• • Not all young people and their situation is the same Each one has different areas that are the problem – Relationship with their family members – Drug and alcohol – Poor parenting skills

Working with the young person

• • • • Refocus is all about the young person and keeping them safe Giving them life skills to cope with growing up and becoming independent Finding their strengths and helping them to build on that Giving them hope for the future

Working with the young person

• • • • • • • What do they want to be (what are their goals in life)?

Build on their talents Help them to address alcohol and drug issues Support them with their education Rebuild relationship with their family Find them programmes/training Encourage volunteering in the community

Working with the young person

• • Enabling them to do it themselves, not do it for them Ensuring the young person is exposed to a wide range of positive experiences

Working with parents

• • • • Challenging the parents in their views and expectations and own behaviour Helping the parents to see the strengths in the young person Parents need to accept what the young person is saying Helping the parents to renegotiate household rules that are appropriate to the young persons age, stage and expectations.

Key areas we focus on with the parent

• • • • • • Understanding of adolescent development What are the rules and boundaries Structure in the home (are these age appropriate) What are the values in the home – do they have values that the young person should know Inconsistent messages to the young person Adult issues

Case Study

Tom

Tom

• • • • 15 years old Maori Solo mother with a professional background No contact with his father

Tom

• • • • • • • Hanging out with the wrong group and getting in trouble Not attending school Stealing Vandalism Alcohol and drug use Relationship issues with mum Came to attention of police through offending

Tom

Assessment revealed: Staunch Christian views in home, contradictory to Mum’s lifestyle.

Mum had “given-up” on him Stated he hated his mum.

Tom

• • • • • Staff established a strong relationship with Tom Listened to him Picked him up when he needed it.

Consistent mentoring Guiding him to be independent

Tom

• • • • • • Returned to school Respect for Mum Focused on a positive future LSV Course Continued his study Now a loans officer in a bank.

Principles of Refocus

• • • • • • About strengthening the family Passion to work with young people Unconditional commitment to young person Consistency Authentic relationship Genuine caring

www.y2y.org.nz