Philosophy

Our Vision

We have a vision for the future which sees every child in New Zealand living in a safe foster/kin/whã�nau home and receiving equal opportunities; we also see a future where all foster/kin/whã�nau carers:

• are appropriately trained
• feel valued and supported
• are recognised as professionals

As part of this vision, the Federation constantly improves the situation for all foster/kin/whã�nau carers and children because it is:

• adaptive and creatively responsive to change viewed as a credible and professional organisation locally, nationally and internationally
• effecting positive change for all children not living with their
• biological parents
• well resourced to achieve its intentions
• continually up-skilling and empowering people
• working harmoniously with others to achieve its goals

Our core beliefs

We believe:

• all children have a right to a positive family experience
• foster/kin/whnau carers can, and do, make a difference
• quality support is the right of all foster/kin/whã�nau carers
• when foster/kin/whã�nau carers are valued, children are equipped to make positive life choices
• everyone has knowledge, experience and skills to share

Our core values

We place a high value on:

• our ability to influence, lobby and negotiate
• continual improvement through research and evaluation
• information from grass roots foster/kin/whã�nau carers
• listening at a local, national and international level
• learning from others

Our objectives

1. Ensure that as far as possible, appropriate information, advice and support services are available for foster carers. A foster carer for the purpose of the NZFFCF is defined as any person caring for a child not biologically their own.
2. Advocate for the right of foster parents to receive appropriate training, education and other support that is necessary to enable them to develop safe practice.
3. Maintain and strengthen the relationships between children and their family/whã�nau.
4. Promote, assist and support the formation and operation of local Foster Care Associations and other appropriate organisations in New Zealand whose aims and policies are in agreement with those of the Federation.
5. Develop and maintain links with appropriate bodies and organisations in New Zealand or internationally whose aims and policies are in agreement with those of the Federation.
6. Consult and co-operate with Government and other organisations in development and review of policy, procedure, education and resources for foster parents and social workers, to promote best practice standards and quality foster care.
7. Ensure the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are incorporated in all policy and practice of the Federation.

Our mission statement

The Federation’s mission is to provide informed quality support to foster/kin/whnau carers so that children in care are nurtured, and provided with alternative life choices.

Our History

2007

Preliminary results received from the Child Youth & Family National Caregiver Survey providing valuable information to enable further study and discussion on issues including ‘specialisation of foster care’.

Hosted the XV International Foster Care Organisation Conference in Hamilton. 506 delegates from 27 countries attended.

2006

NZFFCF Children’s Christmas Party held at The Agrodome – Rotorua, along with several other days were organized and funded by Promotional Development Services. The day started with bouncy castles, face painting, farm tour and show, mountains of sausages, drinks, ice creams and ending with a visit and gifts from Santa for all children.

Celebrated the start of Foster Care Awareness Week (29 October – 4 November) with a Family Fun Pool Party in Napier. This is the first of a number of events organized on our behalf by a company contracted to assist in fundraising, promoting and publicising the NZFFCF. At the end of the week a Family Movie Party was held in Southland. These events are sponsored by local individuals and businesses where the event is being held and are free of charge for those ticket holders and include entertainment and refreshments for children in foster care and families involved in this process.

Commenced the employment process to find a part time Field Worker in the Waikato / Bay of Plenty area, to inform and support foster carers, agencies and iwi organisations.

Held meetings around the country to establish a pilot group of students to complete the work based NZQA Certificate in Family, Wh�nau & Foster Care, in partnership with Te KaiAwhina Ahumahi.

Continued a strong marketing plan with increased promotional & media work.

Completed a submission to Government on Repealing s59 of the Crimes Act

Contributed to National Caregiver Survey including the future direction of Foster Care Models / Professionalisation.

Celebrated 30th Anniversary of NZFFCF at the National Caregivers Conference, Blenheim.

Employed a part time National Allegations Coordinator, and to identify and train and lead a team of 20 voluntary local support workers who respond to foster carers facing an allegation of abuse.

Introduced a National Allegation Support Project.

Supported foster carers to undertake the Family Whã�nau & Fostercare National Certificate.

2005

The NZFFCF celebrated Foster Care Week with a morning tea with the Governor General at Government House, Wellington along with the 80 foster carers from around New Zealand.

Successfully designed and implemented marketing plan with business mentor. This has seen an increase in 0800 69 33 23 telephone enquiries and membership.

Employed a permanent part-time administration assistant

Annual Journal was printed and distributed nationwide.

Contributed to the Fostercare Allowance Review.

Six delegates attended the International Foster Care Organisation (IFCO) Conference in Madison, U.S.A.

Completed research evaluation of Pilot Project Caregivers Facing Allegations of Abuse.

2003

A full-time executive officer was employed, managing Federation business from a national office.

2002

Work began on a National Certificate in Family/Whã�nau and FosterCare (registered with the NZQA framework, Level 4, December 2003).

2001

Seven National Caregiver Training Programmes were fully implemented and available “to any person caring for a child not biologically their own”.

2000

A database of all foster/kinship caregivers in the country was established through the Registration, Training and Accreditation programme.

Historical achievements (1974-1999)

Executive Profiles

Chairperson
Carolyn Hill
email: carolyn.hill@idea.org.nz Telephone 04 586 3960
I have been married for 39 years and have four children and four grandchildren.
My experience in caring for another person’s child, has been through ”Shared Care”, a programme offered by IHC, when I cared for a child from when he was 2 years old until he was 7 years old, for respite care.
My desire to increase my learning led me to study for a Certificate in Teaching People with Disabilities and then on to a Diploma in Social Work. At that point I changed my career from being an architectural draughtsman to a Social worker, with the Open Home Foundation in Nelson.
When I moved to Wellington, 10 years ago, I took a position as Social Worker in the fostercare team at Barnardos, and previously a Care Supervisor. My work has involved supporting fosterparents in the challenging, sometimes undervalued, important and often satisfying work they do and supervising social work in this role.  I currently work for Idea Services in Wellington.

Treasurer
Diana Halsted
email: halstead@clear.net.nz Telephone 04 934 2005

Cultural Officer
Ngahuia Donnell
Telephone: 07 847 4280
My major and long time cultural development role, is to keep in the forefront of the NZFFCF’s awareness, its accountability to the people it serves, in so far as these come to them from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and are entitled to have those backgrounds understood and respected. Part of this role is to support and encourage cultural learning within the Executive Committee, Associations and caregivers, encourage finely tuned interfacings among caregivers, provide awhi, unbiased support and confidentiality, provide supervision, if and when required and to debate and embrace cultural differences that lead to improved learning and understanding.

Upper North Island Regional Representative
Alan Newman
email: alan@youthlink.org.nz Telephone: 09 236 8660 Xt 214
I am 55 years, married with 2 adult children and one 19 mth grandson! I am a resident of Devonport, Auckland and have held senior roles with Child Youth & Family for 32 years before resigning Dec 05 to take up the current CEO role with Youthlink Family Trust. I have experience as a social worker, social work supervisor and manager in Central Auckland, Counties/Manukau and the North Shore. Management stints have included Hamilton and Christchurch. I come from a Practice background and have an interest in the field of Care.
I was co-opted into this role in 2006 and would like to continue the work that I have started in this area and to the NZ Family & Foster Care Federation at a national level.

Lower North Island Regional Representative
Bill Nathan
email: bill.nathan@xtra.co.nz Telephone: (04) 232 2980
Bill and his wife, Donas, began in foster care in 1983. During that time they joined the Wellington Family and Foster Care Association and attended the first of many NZFFCF National Conferences in 1984. They have eight grandchildren and are “grandparents” to five foster children.
Bill is of Te Atiawa, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent. Donas is from Opotiki and is Whakatohea and Te WhÄ�nau – Apanui.
Both Bill and Donas have been involved in M�ori cultural activities for many years and where appropriate some of the foster children have also been involved. This had the benefit of bringing them in touch not only with cultural activities but also a wider group of young people and other adults.
Bill is currently an NZFCFF Allegations Support Worker and he looks forward to serving the foster care community in the Lower North Island and working with other committed colleagues on the Federation.

Lower South Island Regional Representative 
Barbara McElligott           

Telephone: 03 239 5775                 Email:  themcelligotts@xtra.co.nz
I am married to Rex, mother of three teenagers all still living at home, foster parent to an eight year old and an active partner in a dairy farm business. We live in the small rural community of Woodlands in Eastern Southern Invercargill.

We have actively fostered for over 10 years in all areas of respite, emergency, short and long term care. Our current placement has been with us for approx 5 years - we have made a long term commitment to her and are exploring the process of permanency. I have a passion to support other foster parents and am currently enjoying being a support person for the allegation support project and also the NZFFCF Southern Regional Representative.

Life is a journey of learning for me - I completed the certificate in Whanau/Family and Foster Care last year and intend studying for the diploma this year.
I am honored to represent foster carers and agencies from the Lower South Island at the New Zealand Family Foster Care Federation.

Upper South Island Regional Representative
Angela Swinney
email: angelaswinney@paradise.net             Telephone:03 960 1417
I live in Christchurch and have been actively involved with the Christchurch Family Foster Care Association for six years, and am pleased to represent the Upper South Island. I currently care for my two nieces aged 10 and 12 years, so completely understand kin care issues. I am also fostering a four year old boy who I have cared for since he was one. Fostering is my passion and my life. I am employed as a resource worker through Child Youth & Family, this involves a lot of supervised access work.
Another main interest for me is supporting Single Parents as one myself I completely understand the issues single parents face. I am the President for Birthright Christchurch and the Vice Chairperson for Birthright NZ. In my spare time I really enjoy doing handcrafts in particular patchwork, knitting and sewing. I enjoy travelling and reading. I look forward to being on the NZ Family & Foster Care Federation Executive and assisting in beneficial changes for foster carers, nationally.

Central North Island Regional Representative
Val Naylor
email: val.naylor@xtra.co.nz Telephone: 07 544 3297
I have just retired following 37 years working in the social work area for Child Youth & Family, the latter part of my career I became the full time CGLSW for the Tauranga site. This position enabled me to focus on recruiting, assessing, training and supporting caregivers. My prime goal was to work towards a ‘best practice model’ and part of this was placing a major emphasis on the support and training of caregivers. My natural family resides in England and I have lived in NZ for over 40 years.
I have established a large NZ family (wh�naunga tanga) that I support and vice versa. I have a role as Aunty Val to about 20 youngsters all at different ages and stages of development. I strongly support the position of family being the bedrock of our society. My early years of my career centered on working in the area of residential care which gave me some understanding of the role of caregivers and the challenge it presents.
I continue to be involved in the local Association in assisting to organize events, I remain involved in professionally supporting colleagues and maintain an interest in organizing on going caregiver training. I also support the ‘big picture’ that a national body representing the interest of caregivers is crucial to improving conditions and addressing issues of concern. The end result can only mean better outcomes for our youngsters in care.

NZFFCF Patron - Judge David Carruthers

Judge Carruthers was appointed to the role of NZFFCF Patron in January 2008.

Born and raised in Pahiatua, David Carruthers graduated in 1962 from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, with an LLB and completed his LLM (Hons) in 1964.

Judge Carruthers practised in Wellington before returning to practice law in his home town of Pahiatua. A move to Palmerston North and his own practice preceded this by being appointed a Family Court Judge and Youth Court Judge in Wellington in 1985. In 1995 Judge Carruthers was appointed Principal Youth Court Judge and in 2001 he was appointed as Chief District Court Judge, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. Presently Judge Carruthers is the Chairman of the New Zealand Parole Board.

Judge Carruthers has long been an advocate for alternative dispute resolution and an outspoken supporter
of restorative and therapeutic justice initiatives. Judge Carruthers holds that it is better to involve communities directly in the criminal justice system in order to obtain better outcomes which reduce crime and acknowledge victims’ concerns.

The Judge has spoken at a large number of international and national conferences and has been an author of a number of papers presented in overseas seminars. In 2002, he chaired the Ministerial Taskforce on Youth Offending.

Judge Carruthers was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005.

NZFFCF Consultant

Jill Worrall
email: jillworrall@xtra.co.nz Telephone: 09 410 7410
Mother of three sons. Grandmother of 6.5 beautifuls. Foster parented four long term children and young people, now foster grandmother to 8 lovely children. Past Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Education Officer NZFFCF and Journal Editor for many years (approx 15 years).
Social Worker for 15 years in Child and Family Services, past Regional Manager Barnardos Child and Family Services, Northern region, recently retired as a senior lecturer in Social work, Massey University and now in private practice as a consultant. She is also currently a trainer and assessor in the NZQA Certificate in Family Wh�nau Foster Care.

NZFFCF Staff

Executive Officer
Gaylene Lawrence
Telephone:  06 877 7481            email: nzffcf.eo@xtra.co.nz
Gaylene is married with three sons, and has cared for a young woman who is now living independently.
Her work experience includes ten years in the area of Family Violence, seven years management of a Social Service Agency providing care services and four years facilitating foster care training.
In her current position as Executive Officer, she works with local associations and agencies to support, train, inform and advocate for foster carers around New Zealand. She also consults and cooperates with Government in the development and review of policies and resources for foster carers.

National Training Co-ordinator
Suzanne McCool

Telephone 06 877 7491 or email nzffcf.training@xtra.co.nz

I am fortunate to have been recently appointed to NZFFCF as the National Training Co-ordinator initially to help promote the Certificate in Whanau/Family and Foster Care. I am married with 2 adult sons, and with my husband have been farming in Central Hawke’s Bay for the last 15 years. I worked for Child, Youth and Family, firstly as a generic social worker in the Waipukurau office, for about ten years. This is where I first had the privilege to work alongside some amazing foster carers, who have earned my deepest respect. As a result I came to realise the huge significance that foster carers have, and the absolute importance of your role in the 24/7 care of another person’s child. It is not the same as caring for your own child, and is hugely demanding as you all know but also very rewarding. I moved into the Caregiver Social Worker role when this position was expanded for close to 4 years as I wanted to continue working with Foster Carers, which then led into becoming the CGSW Supervisor for my final 16 months with CYF.

National Allegations Coordinator
Tina Grubba
Telephone 0800 693 278                  email: nzffcf.fast@xtra.co.nz
Tina is based in Dunedin and has been employed to receive the initial calls and provide coordination for the National Team of Allegation Support Workers. Tina was born in England, spent a short period of her teenage years in New Zealand and began her fostering career with the Ministry of Child Youth & Families in British Columbia 28 years ago, providing care for their most challenging children. As a provincial board member and regional representative for foster parents, she has also been instrumental in developing policy and procedures to promote best practice in a safe environment for both children and their foster parents.

Community Liason (Bay of Plenty/Waikato)
Sue Iti
email: paul.sue.iti@xtra.co.nz Telephone: 07 542 0074
Sue is employed as the Field Worker for the Bay of Plenty Area, (Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua etc) working three days per week. Her caregiving career began 18 1/2 years ago, relieving in one of Hamilton’s eight Family Homes. This lead to running one for themselves. They started with Care and Protection children but with the shortage of caregivers and closure of many homes they moved into a Youth Justice home. After a total of six years they moved to Raglan where they fostered and also did respite care for Waikato Community Living Trust and IHC. They moved to Mount Maunganui in 1998 taking on the position in a CYFS Family Home. They have since moved to Papamoa where Paul and Sue live with their three daughters and a foster son they care for through Idea Services. Sue has been involved with NZFFCF through both the Hamilton and Tauranga Associations, over many years.

Administration
Toni Hewett
email: nzffcf.eo@xtra.nz
Toni is married with three children, they have cared for foster children for about seven years, has been a Barnardos Preschool Home Educator and still provides respite care for a young man with Down’s Syndrome. She is now working outside the home in a very rewarding position supporting Gaylene at the NZFFCF, Tina and the local Associations and continues to play an active role in the Hawkes Bay Foster Care Association.

Research

Click here to Download a copy of the 'Peer Support for Caregivers Facing Allegations of Abuse'

Click here to Download a Summary of the 'Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Report on Professional Foster Care' by Gaylene Lawrence

Past Events

IFCO Conference

Powhiri  - Sunday 11 February 2007

Opening Speaker - Min. Ruth Dyson with 35 flags in the background, representing each country with delegate/s attending IFCO New Zealand 2007.

Foster Carers enjoying IFCO Conference Dinner, Tuesday 13/02/07

Life Members

Government House

Outside Government house

On Friday November 4th 2006, as part of Foster Care week, eighty foster carers were invited to Government House to share morning tea with the NZ Family & Foster Care Patron, Dame Silvia Cartwright. This was an opportunity to says thanks and highlight the value and importance of the role that foster carers make in the lives of children.