Annual Report
2008 - 2009
Ko te whakakotahitanga
o to tatou wairua manaaki
i te pupuri i te Tino
Rangatiratanga
o nga whakawhanaungatanga.
The oneness
of spirit and caring
in upholding the nobility
of relationships
Introduction:
Parentline was established in 1978 as a telephone advice service for parents and
caregivers. Over the years, the agency has evolved to offer individual and group
counselling, therapy and social work services to children aged between 0 – 13 years; our
core business is to work with children who have been traumatised by abuse or domestic
violence. We also offer parenting programmes.
Our staff are all qualified and experienced counsellors or social workers; we employ a parttime clinical psychologist.
At a governance level, the Board of eight Trustees, sets the vision and strategic direction for
Parentline. The Chief Executive and Senior Management Team ensure services and
operations are aligned to the Board’s strategic direction.
Most of our funding is derived from government contracts from the Ministry of Social
Development, Child Youth & Family, Waikato District Health Board and the Ministry of
Justice. Revenue is supplemented by community grants, Trusts, Philanthropic funding and
sponsorship.
Although our services are primarily based in Hamilton City, the agency regularly receives
referrals from outlying areas. During this financial year, Parentline offered a 12 month pilot
service in four (4) Taumarunui primary schools; this contract will expire in December 2009.
BOARD
Margaret Evans, (Chair)
Grant Blackler, Paul Dickey, Mavora Hamilton, Tonga Kelly, Tom Roa, Ngapare Hopa, Rahera Barrett-Douglas
CEO
Cathy Holland
Receptionist
Julie Oliver
PA Administration
Naomi Strother
Cleaner
Karen Beazley
Service Delivery Manager
Angie Lloyd
Tina McCarty
Acting Team Leader
Ailine Daisa
Social Worker
Carina Conradie
Clinical Psychologist
Catherine O’KellyShinohara
Counsellor
Michelle Van Tiel
Counsellor
Rena Marshall
Taumarunui
Social Worker
Peter Edmonds
Alternative Care
Students on
placement
Counsellors and
Social Workers
Pare Thomson
Team Leader
Funding and Marketing
Manager
Jane Hendriks
Counsellor
Volunteers
Dennis Beazley
Counsellor
Leah Hawkins-Coffey
Counsellor
Lisa Herewini
Intake Coordinator
2008 - 2011
VISION
GUIDING PRICIPLES
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Keeping children safe from abuse and
family violence.
We will achieve our vision and priorities
through:
Investment priorities that will guide our
decision making :
MISSION
We are committed to:
Affirming Parent line's authority as THE
Child Advocate for the prevention of
abuse and family violence.
Providing professional evidence based
counselling & therapy for children who
have been abused and/or witnessed
domestic violence.
Engaging in research and development
activities in the prevention of child
abuse, family violence and child
advocacy.
Establishing an education & training
function for counselors & therapists.
Underpinning commitment to Treaty of
Waitangi, United Nations Convention of the
Rights of the Child, United Nations Declaration
of Human Rights
Excellence & professional integrity in the
eyes of our clients, stakeholders and the sector
to enhance & facilitate our ability to work
collaboratively and in partnership.
Strengthening the organisation to ensure an
enduring foundation for the development and
implementation of core business activities.
Learning through research and evaluation to
ensure we are making progress, maximising
impact and being effective.
Alignment & targeting of all that Parentline
does to concentrate our efforts on achieving our
strategic priorities.
Adding value by leveraging our resources and
working with our partners to improve
performance and achieve greater impact
across the sector.
Advocating for children
Parentline will invest in:
· Strategies to ensure the child’s voice is heard
· Relationships & partnerships with stakeholders
and communities.
Access to high quality services
Parentline will invest in:
· Qualified people
· Best practice
· Sound governance and management
· Robust infrastructure, systems and processes
· Being a good employer
Evidence based practice
Parentline will invest in:
· Providing empirical evidence to support
effective strategies
· Producing innovative strategies
Skilled Workforce
Parentline will invest in:
· Developing workforce potential within
Parentline and across the sector.
Secure Funding
Parentline will invest in:
· Sourcing long term sustainable funding
· Consolidating core funding streams
· Growth and development funding
Our
Ourvalues
values:
Advocacy
We will protect the rights of the child by challenging an individual, institution or society as
a whole, for and on behalf of the child.
Service
We will provide services that are client focused and responsive to the needs of children,
their parents, family members and the broader community.
Professionalism
We will act professionally at all times delivering the right service to the right person, at the
right time and in the right way.
Respect
We respect and acknowledge the unique diversity and differences of individuals, family
and whanau that make up the fabric of our communities.
Excellence
We strive to achieve excellence in all that Parentline offers to our clients and colleagues.
Partnerships
Our strength is in the quality of our relationships with key stakeholders and communities
of interest
Integrity
Our intentions and endeavours are honest and honourable in all that we do.
Our core services
services:
Advocacy
Protecting the rights of the child by challenging an individual,
institution or society as a whole, for and on behalf of children.
Art Therapy – Children
Helping children to make sense of their world, using play, art,
sand tray modalities.
Individual Counselling & Social Work
Qualified counsellors and social workers are available for
children and their whanau to maximise their potential through
therapeutic intervention.
Family Therapy
Specialist focus on family relationships.
Groups
Group sessions catering for education, intervention and therapy
with children & parents
Alternative Care Options
Planned ‘time out’ to benefit children and families.
Brokerage
Information sharing and access or referral to other community
agency / organisations
Core Services
Our clients:
For the year 2008 – 2009:
• Parentline worked with 564 clients;
• 72% of clients were aged between 6 – 12 years
• 37% of referrals were self referrals; referrals for boys far exceeded the number of
referrals for girls
• By far the most predominant referrals were for children who were
emotionally abused
• 64% of referrals had an underlying issue of domestic violence.
• 44.6% of referrals resulted in children receiving individual
counselling and therapy
• Lack of parenting skills is consistently a reason for a referral
• The usual duration of an intervention with a single client is four (4) months. In recent
times, the nature and complexity of referrals has increased as has the volume of
referrals.
Our greatest asset
Our greatest assets:
•
•
•
•
Passionate practitioners who want to make a difference
Qualified and competent practitioners:
•
5 x Social Workers (ANZASW membership)
•
6 x Counsellors (NZAC membership)
•
1 x Clinical Psychologist . (NZ Psychologists Board registered)
•
University & WINTEC Social Work & Counselling students
on placement (3rd Year)
Solid and robust organisational infrastructure
Approved provider status with CYF, DHB & Ministry of Justice
Looking at the year 2008 – 2009:
Family Violence on the Increase
At the time of writing this Annual Report, it is evident to the Board of Parentline that family
(domestic) violence continues to be the dominant social issue for New Zealand. Significant
numbers of the nation’s children have been and will continue to be at risk because of this,
despite decades of government initiatives and zillions from the public purse.
On 1 October, crime statistics for the 2008-09 year to June 30 were released, confirming new
records for violence, family violence and youth violence.
This followed an August call from Minister Tariana Turia for “fresh thinking and new
approaches to make the difference”, saying this is “time not just for bold words but decisive
action” (Te Rito News, August 2009). She noted the 12.4% rise in family violence during the
2008 calendar year.
According to the latest official Police statistics, ‘significant’ increases in family violence
reports have been recorded amidst a ‘dramatic’ rise in violent crime for the 12 month period
ended in June. (Police NZ & WT-1.10.09).
For Hamilton, the family violence rate leapt up 40%, overall violence by 25%. And last year
this local increase in violent crime was the second worst in the country (NZH 1.4.09).
The trend has been high rise for the past four years in both the city and across the Waikato;
this coincides with the establishment of Hamilton’s Family Safety Team pilot project, the
collaborative effort linking the NZ Police, with Parentline, Te Whakaruruhau, the Hamilton
Refuge Support Service and HAIP (Hamilton Abuse Intervention Programme).
Violent crime in the region has almost doubled in that time, from a six year average in
2004-05 of 2900 recorded offences to 5060 in 2008-09, up over 16% each year (NZ
Police).
Looking back over the past decade, family violence has also been recognised as a
consistent factor behind notifications to Child, Youth & Family Services (CYFs). Numbers
have escalated across New Zealand, from 26,000 in 2000, almost doubled to 53,000 by
2005, then doubled again to 110,797 in the 2008-2009 year ended in June. When this year
(2009) is compared with 2008, the average monthly tally is up more than 15%. It is noted
that the data includes multiple records of the same children and families.
Locally, it is the same with Police call-outs; continuously increasing family violence reports
and more than 40% repeats to the same families. Around half report children present
although it is recognised this is under-recorded and so they remain the ‘silent victims’.
Two contextual elements darken the picture. Police suggest their records show that criminal
offences generally are holding at a level reflecting population growth (just over 1%pa), yet
violence is on the rise.
Secondly, there is widespread acknowledgement that most violence remains hidden,
with official estimates placing 80% of family violence as unreported to Police. The
reasons are well-researched. Women will turn to family, friends, or colleagues, as well
as teachers, doctors and local agencies such as refuges rather than the Police.
Referrals to Parentline can also be the ‘call for help’ for the mother and family, not just
the children. And while the nation shudders in horror at the latest child killing, headline
or sound-bite events because of their inevitable disclosure, hundreds of adults
continue to abuse their children.
For every child death from maltreatment, there are likely to be 600 children being
abused and on average 150 of these cases involving substantiated physical abuse
beyond emotional abuse and neglect (UNICEF 2003). Most child killings occur in
families who are not registered with CYFs, although they may be known to other
government agencies.
It’s nearly two decades since HAIP (Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot) was set up to
monitor Police and other services responding to family violence (in 1991). At that time
women’s refuge studies indicated up to 90% of family violence incidents were
witnessed by children. Hamilton also provided the fertile ground for the establishment
in 1994 – out of Parentline - of Child Protection Studies (now known as CPS Training)
to increase awareness of child abuse and promote ‘child protection’.
In that period New Zealanders have been exposed to a continuous series of multimillion dollar government promoted television and media campaigns exhorting us to
change our ways, a multitude of new strategies and new units aimed at reducing
violence, and library-size government funded research.
But still the outcome is increasing person to person violence, in particular within
families, and with ongoing consequences for children.
We Know It’s Not OK
For too long, while many officials have referred to the vein of violence in our society,
year after year the line spins out that signs of increasing violence reflect improved
recording rather than a developing culture. The reasons given for the expanding
data include the latest national awareness campaign, better training and awareness
education, more faith in the system, improved public services, etc.
However, community agencies such as Parentline, Te Whakaruruhau & the
Hamilton Refuge Support Services, along with teachers and others working at the
front line have long seen for themselves the realities of the trends.
Our intimate indicators of violence come from our clients, the children who are
Parentline’s raison d’être and their families.
The wider deeper picture is disclosed from the nation’s official records, for example
the data gathered by the Police, MSD and its CYFs division (Ministry of Social
Development and Children, Young Persons, & their Families), as well as the catch-all
Statistics Department and global agencies such as UNICEF. The research mountain
is larger than Everest.
Perhaps the most disturbing trend, along with the overall increase in violent
interpersonal behaviours, is that children are exhibiting violence at younger ages, as
Ministry of Education reports attest.
Parentline’s Experience 2008-2009
Family violence is the most significant driver of Parentline’s core services for children
and for their families, although initially it is most commonly hidden amidst a range of
risk factors and behaviour patterns presented as the reasons for seeking our
assistance and support.
During the year ended in June, only 1% of those contacting Parentline pinpointed
experience with domestic violence as a reason for the referral, although one in three
(34%) cited concerns related to parenting, adult relationships and family support.
However, as the children (and their families) became engaged in our programmes
almost two out of three (64%) went on to disclose an underlying issue of violence at
home.
‘Whilst children come into the service under different eligibility criteria for either
emotional or physical abuse, there is a common theme identified that these
children have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse at some point in their
childhood. (CEO Cathy Holland)
Family risk factors identified at the time of referral also included physical and sexual
abuse, grief and loss, neglect, parents with mental health issues, and grandparents
responsible for the children. Concerns about the children included sexualised behaviour
and anger management.
Parentline’s typical child is a primary school age boy; 72% spanned 6-12 years in age,
and 6 out of 10 were male. While 20% did not disclose their ethnicity, almost 38% selfidentified as Maori, and an increasing number as Pacific Island and Asian. There is also
a trend of increasing number of parents and caregivers wanting to attend Parentline
parenting programmes.
Programme development included Year II of Te Hiringa Tipua (developed for & by Māori
families), and the innovative PHO-funded pilot ‘integrated out-reach’ programme based
in four primary schools at Taumarunui
Initial evaluations of these programme confirmed positive results and the target now is
further development. Negotiations are underway to confirm future funding for the schoolbased initiative which we plan to roll-out in Hamilton and beyond.
There is a trend towards more complex cases requiring more intensive and lengthier
therapy, with the children themselves exhibiting violent behaviours at an increasingly
younger age, and as noted earlier in this report, the disclosure of family violence in
significant numbers of their homes. Almost half of the intervention strategies involve
individual therapy and a third group therapy, however the Taumarunui project has resulted
in renewed interest in the group approach alongside family therapy as effective modalities.
Parentline’s group programmes include Te Hiringa Tipua, Kids Against Violence (KAVe),
Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS), Totally Awesome Kids (TAK), Transformers and Positively
Parenting.
Chief Executive, Cathy Holland chairs the Hamilton District Management Team overseeing
the management of the collaborative Family Safety Team pilot project (now the Citywide
Strategic Forum of organisations & agencies involved in domestic violence). There is a
continuing and strong commitment to collaboration with other agencies working in the field
of child protection and family violence, but frustrations with the Family Safety Team pilot
project and the need for progress in response to Police callouts and the POL400 recording
system. The focus is to develop more effective frontline services (intervention and
prevention) and this presents ongoing challenges in the year to come.
This is a particular response to the high level of repeats in Police callouts to family violence
incidents, the high numbers of children exposed to these situations on a daily basis, and the
ongoing inability to attract realistic government resources to provide ‘life-changing’ services
while hundreds of thousands of dollars are poured into research, policy and publicity (Refer
separate Paper on Violence in Context).
The Chief Executive reports monthly to the Board on a set of agreed strategic priorities which
cover child advocacy, provision of (& access to) high quality services & evidence-based
practice from skilled staff, and funding security. She also reports on compliance with
contracts including the core Integrated Contract with the Ministry of Social Development,
Child, Youth & Family Services, and the Waikato District Health Board. An informal staff feedback forum with the board precedes the monthly board meeting.
In addition to this Annual Report, Parentline has produced a Special Report on Family
Violence ‘We Know It’s Not OK’, along with an historic snapshot ‘Violence in Context’. These
are being made available to the relevant Ministers and are publicly available. The ‘context’
includes reference to New Zealand’s social and political climate, the August 2009 child
discipline referendum, & the Infometrics Report on the $2billion annual cost of child abuse
and neglect.
The following presents other highlights of the year –
Meeting with Minister Tariana Turia
On March 6, board members and staff met with Tariana Turia, the Associate Minister of
Social Development & Employment, as well as Health, and Minister of the Community &
Voluntary Sector. The purpose was to discuss our concerns and response to increasing
violence in our families, homes, schools, and communities, the work we do and our
collaboration with kindred agencies such as Te Whakaruruhau & Women’s Refuge.
We presented to her our concept of school-based services aimed at fostering the crossagency integrated ‘working together’ model which positions children and families at the heart
of neighbourhoods through their local primary schools. The result – as Taumarunui
illustrates – is children who feel good about participating in school life and learning.
Although our pilot funding came through the PHO, we emphasised the view that our
Integrated Contract (with MSD & WDHB) opened the door to truly ‘whole of government’
funding (and contracts) that would bring into the tent (appropriately) the Ministries of Social
Development (CYFs & WINZ), Health, Education, Justice, Courts & Police etc since
inevitably they would all be involved with the children and families who found their way to
our door.
There was positive discussion around Minister Turia’s ‘whanau ora’ policy concept. Further
development of the schools-based project will be a priority for Parentline during 2009-2010.
Behaviour Management in Schools – Taumata Whanonga
Shortly after the meeting with the Minister, CEO Cathy Holland was invited to attend the
national summit on behaviour management in the classroom - Taumata Whanonga 2009,
March 16-17, Ministry of Education, Wellington. There was lead-up and post summit publicity
that ‘school children are becoming more violent’ (Francis Nelson NZEI, NZH 2.3.09), and that
Ministry of Education studies disclosed 20% of children were displaying serious behaviour
problems (WT 4.3.09)
Cathy reported to the Board that both international and NZ speakers at the summit validated
our optimism that the Taumarunui pilot project is effective good practice – ‘by offering
intervention at the earliest possible time and in the first stages of things starting to go wrong
in a child’s life’. and
‘Whilst the presenting symptoms for children accessing the Taumarunui services will
be challenging behaviours, the underlying causes will invariably include abuse and
domestic violence’ (CEO report, 19.3.09)
Parentline had access to a useful Australian resource ‘Calmer Classrooms – a guide to
working with traumatised children’ (2007) produced by the Victorian Office of the Child Safety
Commissioner, thanks to our former clinical psychologist Dr Narelle Dawson. This resource
was distributed to preschool, primary and secondary school teachers across the state.
R18 Means R18
Parentline’s R18 Means R18 Research Report was launched in December, and the findings
released to the eight participating Hamilton schools and the media (with good coverage in the
Waikato Times). Copies were provided to relevant Ministers, MPs and officials, plus
summaries to interested parties. SKYCITY Hamilton Community Trust funded the project
($20,000). Co-researchers were Margaret Evans, Rolinda Karapu & Saburo Omura. Dr
Gareth Scott (University of Waikato), Dr Narelle Dawson (former Parentline clinical
psychologist), and Rona Larsen (Deputy Chair) provided ongoing support. Narelle & Rona
had initially instigated the project.
The research surveyed 1187 children aged 5-14years and 496 parents/caregivers – providing
an authoritative snapshot of the video game playing habits of the nation’s youngsters. The
results confirmed the popularity of video games (91%) and disclosed that 70% said they
played restricted games. A total of 588 titles were identified as favourites, with 10% of the
games named as the three best played in the last month carrying censorship restrictions as
illegal for underage players. Boys’ favourites were car racing, wrestling & war genre, while
girls chose karaoke-style singing games, the quiz-style ‘Buzz’ & simulation genre.
A public function with Chief Censor Bill Hastings featured examples of the adult-rated games
the children had identified as their favourites as well as a short British film on cyber bullying
(5.3.09). Mobile phones, and particularly with girls, are the source of increasing concern as
bullying devices.
The R18 research findings were presented at the Lexus Child and Law conference in
Auckland (26.3.09) ‘Children Playing Restricted Video Games-Putting Children at Risk’
(Margaret & Cathy). The conference theme was ‘Protecting Children Today: A Multi
Disciplined Approach’. Police national Family Violence Coordinator Inspector Ged Byers
presented a paper Reducing Family Violence for the Sake of the Children, and with Starship
Hospital’s Child Abuse Centre Clinical Director Dr Patrick Kelly in A View from the Front Line
presented compelling insights into the damage to children’s health and wellbeing caused by
abuse and family violence. There was some interest in retailer/rental outlet responsibility &
whether a pioneering prosecution might encourage legal compliance. This is being
monitored.
The research report was also provided (on request) to TV3’s ‘Target’ team who featured a
filmed ‘sting’ of Auckland and Hamilton video game outlets (broadcast episode 1027) to
illustrate ongoing concerns at sales to underage youngsters. Locally, we note the new
installation of prominent warning signals for both customers and staff at The Warehouse
(Hillcrest) – and that company founder Stephen Tindall had been advised of the research.
The research will also feature in a TVNZ/NZ on Air commissioned series currently being
produced and due for broadcast in 2010 – working title The Truth About Us. Director Robin
Shingleton made the approach to Margaret & Cathy following the Auckland Child & Law
conference presentation & spent time in Hamilton filming (8.9.09). Cathy has offered to
provide ongoing professional assistance to the series.
The R18 research proposal aimed at promoting the development of ‘child-friendly’ video
games & utilising local creative skills was presented to the board of Hamilton’s new Soda
Inc creative business incubator based in the Meteor Theatre.
Contracts & Finances
Parentline’s end of year financial position continues to improve. This reflects the new
organisational strategies introduced early in 2008 and the first full financial year under CEO
Cathy Holland’s leadership. The prudent approach will continue in the coming year, as well
as the new emphasis on clearly accountable and effective service delivery.
The Board can now be confident of contract performance & compliance – ensuring dollars
gained are spent as and where required. We have over-delivered on all contracts.
The ‘model’ Integrated Contract of MSD & Health funding (through CYF & the WDHB) has
continued to provide some 60% of our revenue and is the primary funder of our core
business of services for children. We have been guaranteed its renewal as negotiations
continue (1 October 2009). We continue to support the integrated concept of a ‘whole of
government’ contract providing clarity in deliverables or specified outcomes as well as
funding accountability, but find the contracting environment challenging.
A range of other government funding is accessed whenever available e.g. Strengthening
Families where we are recognised as a lead agency.
However, this has been the forewarned final year of the Child & Adolescent Mental Health
contract as a result of the Waikato District Health Board collapsing a range of NGO provider
contracts into a single ‘portal’. The Family Safety Team child advocate position has also
been concluded, with national providers taking over as initial short-term FST managers, with
further reviews underway. These two contracts provided 20% of revenue for the year
($140,000 & $70,000).
The Board was advised (June) that the new mental health contractors wanted to continue
referring its (new) clients to Parentline for us to continue providing our social work,
counselling & therapy services, but without the fees we received under the previously held
contract. This illustrates the ongoing challenges relating to children and families in the
mental health field – or as we would have it described, the area of mental wellbeing. More
so because of the WDHB’s under-expenditure in this area over recent years.
Child and family well-being is a continuing subject of international debate as health
specialists including psychiatrists and psychologists review ‘mental disorders’ and
‘dysfunction’ and debate whether or not they are worthy of clinical recognition. As an
example, the area of family violence has drawn attention to ‘Marital Conflict Disorder’. Our
primary concern is the ‘bruising’ of a child’s well-being that comes from exposure to family
violence, and our call is for the Health Sector to join across government to recognise the
benefits of front-line response from agencies such as ours.
The pilot Taumarunui contract has brought new PHO funding to Parentline, but the challenge
will be to see that this school-based project attracts the future funding support necessary for
its roll-out.
We continue to require grants and donations to top up contract revenue, almost $200,000
this year and with a 20% target. We are grateful for the ongoing support we receive from
local philanthropics such as DV Bryant Trust, WEL Energy Trust, Perry Foundation, Trust
Waikato, & SKYCITY Community Trust. Increased fund-raising efforts are underway.
The board’s accountants (Vazey Child) continue to manage the agency’s financial reporting
(& records) in association with the Chief Executive and the Finance Committee. This has
provided the accuracy and transparency required to track contract and grant funding, and
continues to be cost effective.
Staff
Parentline’s greatest asset and strength is the quality of the staff and their commitment to
our overriding purpose of ‘safe family, safe child. Special mention is made of one of our
gems - Nola Edmonds, highly respected and richly experienced who finally decided to retire
in January. She had more than 15 years with Parentline and will continue to be associated.
Chief Executive Cathy Holland continues to perform at a high level, supported by her Senior
Management Team of Service Delivery Manager Angie Lloyd and Funding & Marketing
Manager Grant Cowie. The organisational emphasis is on trained qualified front-line
caseworkers who are counsellors and social workers
With an eye on investment in the future, tertiary institution relationships have been
fostered and placements offered at Parentline to 3rd year counselling and social work
students, enabling practical experience working alongside (and supervised by) highly
qualified and experienced therapists. This year this has included the first international
students and fits with Parentline’s strategy of developing training and education
opportunities.
Our
thanks:
Our
needs
Parentline acknowledges and thanks the many individuals and organisations who contribute
to and encourage the work of our organisation.
In particular we acknowledge all of the Parentline staff and their commitment to restore the
health and wellbeing of children who have been traumatised by abuse and domestic
violence.
We also acknowledge the many government agencies, community organisations and friends
of Parentline who continue to financially support the work we do.
Board members 2008 – 2009
Margaret Evans (Chair)
Mavora Hamilton
Tonga Kelly
Tom Roa
Paul Dickey
Rahera Barrett Douglas
Grant Blackler
Ngapare Hopa
Lawyers
McCaw Lewis Chapman
HAMILTON
Accountants
Vazey Child
HAMILTON