Puawaitahi multi-agency one-service

Detective Senior Sergeant Hayden Mander, Detective Sergeant Dick Corbidge, Minister of Police RH Judith Collins, Commissioner Howard Broad and Detective Inspector Scott Beard pictured at Puawaitahi during a May 2010 visit.

Puawaitahi was established in November 2002 as a multi-agency, one-service centre for investigating alleged abuse of children and young people and to ensure that victims of abuse - and their families - can easily access the best possible services to help with treatment after abuse.

The Centre houses specialist child abuse investigation professionals together under one roof, enabling them to work more closely and communicate more effectively with eachother to streamline their processes and reduce delays for clients.

The concept of Puawaitahi derived initially from the systems and structures of several successful overseas models, referred to as child or family advocacy centres, in the USA particularly.

Police, Starship National Children's Hospital and Child Youth and Family worked closely together - with the Auckland District Health Board, Starship Foundation and the wider Auckland community - to develop Puawaitahi.

Puawaitahi took four years to establish from the original concept to opening of its doors.

In the first 16 months since it was opened, the Centre saw more than 1400 clients come through its doors. Clients have reported their satisfaction with the child and family-friendly facilities and services received at the one location.

Involvement of young people

Young people were involved in the establishment of Puawaitahi through the Young People's Voices advisory group. This small group, facilitated by John Wenger of Youth Line, generously provided their ideas and insights on a number of issues including the décor and artwork, helping to create an environment that is welcoming and non-threatening to children and young people who are going through a stressful time.

Services provided

Puawaitahi's five key components are:

1. Specialist child assessment/investigation services of Child Youth and Family
2. Health
3. Police
4. Mental health/therapeutic services
5. Prosecution.

As a result of bringing these components together, Puawaitahi is able to:

• provide a 'one stop shop' for assessing and treating children and young people who are thought to have experienced abuse or neglect
• provide co-ordinated case management, and reduce the risk that children and young people will 'fall through the gaps'
• improve inter-sectoral communication and co-operation
• reduce inefficiencies, duplications and omissions in service provision for abused and neglected children and young people
• improve linkages to community providers of therapeutic services.

Types of assessment and intervention

Five main strands of assessment and intervention are available for children and young people presenting with concerns re abuse:

• thorough assessment and management of their health needs by staff of Te Puaruruhau as appropriate
• formal evidential video interviews conducted by Police and Child, Youth and Family interviewers in the joint Evidential Video Unit
• police investigation and possible prosecution are conducted by the Auckland City District Police Child Protection Team
• detailed "diagnostic assessment" or "therapeutic needs assessment" conducted by Child, Youth and Family's Specialist Services staff
• assessment of mental health, limited crisis support and linkage back to appropriate community services for support and therapy.

Also housed in the building is the Coordinator of the Auckland Child Mortality Review Committee, who is responsible for monitoring and calling reviews on deaths of all children and young people in the Auckland region.

Key developments to date

There are various developments underway or in the planning stages to effect greater streamlining of services, and a more seamless and rapid response to children and young people suspected of having been abused or neglected. These include: joint interviewing and assessment of child witnesses to serious crime; incorporation of forensic questioning into the medical assessment; fast-tracking of younger children who have made clear statements alleging abuse; development of more short-term therapeutic interventions; strengthening of support services for family members.

See also

Child, Youth and Family website