Families overcoming difficulties

Family support groups put families first

Having care given numerous ‘at risk’ youngsters for many years makes Angela Rogerson no shrinking violet when it comes to standing up and being counted for struggling kids and their parents.

Angie, a foster mother from Wanganui, got into supporting families by starting the organisation, Family Crisis Intervention Service (FCIS), after a dramatic fostering experience which she says cost her and her husband their jobs and almost their life savings after two children were put in the couple’s care by Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) section of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

(Details of the couple’s case cannot be reported for legal reasons).

“At one time, I believed that they (CYFS and the MSD) always got it right,” Angie says.

Although she believes these organisations do a great job and have a difficult one, there is a lot of room for more help with assisting ‘at risk’ children and their families, Angie says.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for CYFS says it is unable to comment on specific cases and circumstances but the impact of parents’ behaviour on the stability and safety of children and young people’s placements with caregivers can vary from supportive to disruptive and cases like the Rogerson’s are thankfully uncommon.

Factors such as mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol addictions, a lack of understanding and acceptance by the parent of their behaviour which led to the child’s removal from their care, contribute to attitudes towards the authorities and advocacy groups, CYFS says.

“Child, Youth and Family and Family Courts have to manage the sometimes, difficult balance between ensuring the safety and welfare of the child or young person which is of paramount consideration, while also ensuring parents’ are still involved in the child’s life and decision-making about them, as directed by the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989,” the spokeswoman says.

She says CYFS always works with the best interests of the child or young person in mind. Any decision to remove children from family/whanau is not taken lightly.

If no family member is identified as being able to safely care for the child, a placement will be made with an approved CYFS caregiver. Wherever possible the relationship between the child or young person and their family is maintained and strengthened.

Angie believes in healthy advice and support to parents, caregivers and extended family, to ensure cases are looked at early, to highlight any communication break-downs and difficulties in family relationships.

She says it is important that children and families are given full information and disclosure about their circumstances.

“No matter what happens, they should not suffer further abuse by the system.”

She gave examples of children being placed in homes with people who have convictions for serious crimes such as sex offences.

“This is our biggest concern in relation to the care of children,” she says.

CYFS says it has ‘a robust vetting system’ for approving caregivers, including thorough Police vetting for all household members aged 17 years and over, which would identify any interactions a person may have had with the Police as a witness, victim or offender.

“This includes but is not limited to, the Family Violence database and any Department of Internal Affairs investigation into the possession of and trading in, child exploitation material,” the CYFS spokeswoman says.

Assessment of family/whanau caregivers is a phased process involving safety checks, an assessment hui, additional interviews and discussions and a self-assessment completed by the prospective caregiver/s, she says.

Non-family caregivers’ assessment is also a phased process where prospective caregivers complete an application pack that includes a police and medical check and a formal assessment including reference checks and personal interviews –– home and environment assessment.

CYFS says all caregiver approvals are reviewed annually with updated Police and medical checks every second year. Six-monthly face-to-face visits are carried out in addition to social worker visits, where any changes of circumstances are discussed that may affect the caregiver’s capacity for care –– including disclosure of any criminal investigations.

Angie says there is a misguided idea around, that her organisation is supporting abusive families but she says this is not the case.

She does not call herself a social worker but is experienced in fostering and caring for children.

“We have two Facebook pages, plus social workers and other professionals such as caregivers and people with experience dealing with the department ensuring the safety of children is paramount,” she says.

Angie says over the years she has been doing most of this work out of her own pocket or only with a small amount of local funding but she and other advocates continue to struggle with large case numbers and the demand on limited resources.

“There is a lot of need out there, with parents who are judged, criticised and some are even suicidal. It’s awful.”

She says the number of babies going straight into care from birth is climbing in New Zealand.

FCIS has recently been working on a pilot programme in support of teens who are facing pregnancy.

·         The programme is focused on the need for better support for pregnant youth placed into the foster-care system.
·         It utilises experienced caregivers who may no longer foster but who wish to continue to be involved in assisting the foster-care system.
·         It is also building on the care-family strengths to fill gaps for youth in this situation, who may have poor levels of support around them that may impact negatively on safe future parenting.

In its programme description, FCIS says that for the unsupported young parent the battle is a maze without end.

It says the project insures the basics in human rights are protected first; that of the parent, family but most importantly the child.

FCIS says protection of the right to grow up with family should be supported as first option.

MSD figures show the number of babies placed into care over the last five years has slightly decreased.

However, between 149 and 177 babies, annually, were placed into care within one month of being born, over the past five years. With 177 placed in 2009/10, 149 in 2010/11, 162 – 2011/12, 157 – 2012/13 and 166 – 2013/14.

The MSD says newborns may be placed into care only if there are serious concerns for the child’s safety.

A care plan is provided to caregivers of newborns, including; safe sleeping, caring for a child in distress and what to do if there are any problems.

New feeding arrangements for breast-fed infants may also be put in place while in CYF care, to include perhaps being fed expressed milk from a bottle, or the mother may breast-feed the infant under supervision.

SIDE BAR:
Here are some websites that have additional information on subjects referred to in our story.

For more information on caregiver approvals: www.practicecentre.cyf.govt.nz/policy/caregiver-assessment-and-approval/

‘At risk’ children being placed in the care of close family members: Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989:

www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0024/latest/DLM147088.html

Information regarding assessment processes on family/whanau caregivers: www.practicecentre.cyf.govt.nz/policy/caregiver-assessment-and-approval/whanau-caregivers/index.html

 In its statement, CYFS says FCIS is a group of volunteer advocates who work on behalf of people seeking assistance when dealing with CYFS.

CYFS says FCIS activities are not funded by CYFS parent body, the MSD.

“However, the Ministry stands by the policy that all people have the right to seek support and advice from wherever they choose,” the organisation says.