A social worker is working in five Northland kindergartens as a way to provide early interventions for vulnerable children.
Chrissie Browne, who has previously worked for Family Works in Whangarei as a Social Worker in Schools (a Government initiative) and is also a qualified early childhood teacher, is now working in five Whangarei kindergartens as part of an initiative by Family Works, a not-for-profit organisation.
Family Works Northern's Whangarei site manager Margie Matthews said the two-year pilot role, which has been funded by a private bequest and the Tindall Foundation, was about early intervention.
"We know that if children suffer from neglect, trauma and poverty they are less likely to engage in school and also in pre-school.
"This role is very much needed because we know that the earlier we start working with vulnerable children and their families, the better the outcomes will be," she said.