Our staff provide a non-judgemental and empathetic ear during times of need. We support people as they deal with family violence, parenting, grief and loss, stress and anxiety and other issues.

We provide social work support and one-to-one counselling. Our qualified professionals walk alongside people, supporting them to find the best answers for themselves and their whānau.  Our services are free for people living in the Tararua District.

Counselling

Counselling is nothing to fear or feel ashamed about. People from all walks of life attend counselling.  Sometimes you just need a non-judgmental, understanding, caring and supportive professional who will give you their undivided attention and help you make sense of what is happening to you or a loved one.

What happens in counselling?

Counsellors help you to tell your story and develop some responses that will work for you. They encourage you to find answers on your own.

How do I know if I should see a counsellor?

  • Changes in yourself. You may become more irritable, feel you are not coping, become constantly angry, sullen, withdrawn, sad, weepy or go into spells of silence for long times. There may be other changes so that you will not feel yourself anymore.
  • When circumstances or behaviour towards you becomes unacceptable or intolerable.
  • When you feel unable to manage your relationships or function effectively.
  • When you feel you are not coping with a change or trauma in your life.

What about confidentiality?

Counselling is a confidential process. What is said in the room stays in the room unless you agree otherwise. The counsellor may consult with supervisors to improve their skills to provide the highest quality of service to you, but this is done without revealing your identity. Except in a situation where you are a danger to yourself or others or where counsellors or agencies have a legal obligation to inform appropriate authorities, your information is strictly confidential.

Social Work Support & Youth Mentoring

Social Workers and Youth Mentors can help you and your tamariki work through complex problems and emotions, develop coping strategies to adapt to the world around you. We can help – in strict confidence – with issues including bullying, peer pressure and relationships, whānau relationships, pregnancy, family harm and mental health issues such as depression, social isolation, grief and loss.

This is a free service and may include:

  • Assisting you to find the services you need, including advocating on your behalf making sure you have access to the right support and resources, including accommodation, employment assistance and benefits
  • Support referrals to community-based services such as counsellors
  • Connecting, or reconnecting, you with community and family support networks providing advice about your rights and opportunities
  • Supporting you to navigate through financial and legal processes

Social Workers in Schools (SWiS)

Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) is a free service that places Social Workers in primary schools across New Zealand.  The SWiS can support tamariki whose social and whānau circumstances impact on their ability to achieve positive education, social and/or health outcomes.   The SWiS are there to help any person involved in the school community when needed.

Our SWiS Social Workers have three main roles:

  1. to work one-on-one with children and their families/whānau
  2. to provide group programmes which help children and families succeed
  3. to help whanau access other support services such as health and housing services.

By providing early help and support, our Social Workers can:

  • help children in need and those who are vulnerable
  • develop plans to improve their wellbeing and safety
  • support improvement in educational outcomes

Teachers, principals, and community members are welcome to refer any family or child. SWiS workers are there to help any person involved in the school community when needed.

Tararua Safer Seniors

If you’re concerned that someone is experiencing elder abuse, it’s OK to help. Something as simple as asking how they are can make a real difference. The sooner you reach out, the sooner they can get help.  The elder abuse social worker and support worker are able to provide support and advocacy to ensure that you have the right services and people available to support you.

Kaiāwhina

Becoming a parent is an exciting time which sometimes presents some challenges. Our Kaiāwhina is trained to support your journey from pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Wahakura Wānanga are held at the Pahiatua Marae and are an opportunity to weave your own wahakura for your new pēpi/baby. Once woven, the wahakura are fitted with mattresses and linen to give your pēpi/baby a safe sleep space, perfect for whānau who plan to co-sleep.

Love Rug Gifts are given to new babies that are born into our community. These are delivered to you, along with a meal for your family so you can put your feet up.

Breastfeeding information and support and access to local Lactation Consultant clinics.

Breast Pump Hiring – We offer a short-term breast pump hire service to try before you buy or if you just need a short-term solution to increase milk supply or express for your baby. Click here for more information.

Regular Coffee, Cake and Chat sessions with topics like CPR for babies, introducing solid food, carseat safety checking, supporting health sleep routines and supporting your baby’s healthy development.

Individual support can be provided to meet your needs and link you to other services or support you at home.

Free Pregnancy Tests and Midwives

If you think you are pregnant, pregnancy tests can be done at Tararua Community Services or you can choose to take a kit home with you.

If you do the test with us, you will be asked some questions such as:

  • The date of the first day of your last period
  • What contraception/ārai hapū you have been using.

You will be asked to give a urine sample which will be tested to see if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant, we can:

  • Refer you to a midwife who can care for you during your pregnancy.

You can also find a midwife on this link: https://www.findyourmidwife.co.nz

Family and Parenting Support

Often referred to as the hardest but most rewarding job in the world, raising kids can be tough going! Our Family/Whānau Support Worker can support parents and caregivers, either individually or in groups, with the skills they need to bring out the best in children. Drawing on a range of information from science, human development and behavioural theories, we can help you to set the foundations for a happy and healthy home where children can thrive.

Individual: Drawing on a range of parenting theories, we can individualise our support to help meet your family needs. This can include supporting you to raise children with complex and challenging behaviour that can make it really hard to cope.

Triple P Discussion Groups: Bringing a group of parents/caregivers together who are experiencing similar issues can provide a huge support. We cover topics like ‘Managing Fighting & Aggression’, ‘Dealing with Disobedience’, ‘Bedtime Routines’ and ‘Hassle-Free Shopping with Kids’.

The Incredible Years: This programme involves parents attending fun, interactive weekly group sessions. The sessions are during school terms and involve plenty of time to discuss and practice new ways to manage children’s challenging behaviour, get ideas for growing positive social skills in children, and find ways to enhance relationships in families.