Gateway

Ko te mokopuna te pūtake o te mātauranga

The child is at the centre of it all

Introduction

Gateway Assessments are a joint inter-agency programme with Child, Youth and Family, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

Objectives:

The overall objective of the Gateway Assessment is to enhance the physical, mental, educational and social wellbeing of children and young people who come to the attention of Child, Youth and Family. The term ‘Gateway’ reflects:

• a comprehensive assessment at the ‘gateway’ to the involvement of Child, Youth and Family, so that clear comprehensive information is gathered and acted upon

• the holistic approach to considering all the needs and strengths of a child or young person in the context of their family and wider environment.

Gateway Assessments will:

• identify health, education and care and protection needs of the child or young person

• provide an opportunity to clarify if there are any mental health and/or drug and alcohol needs of the child’s mother or father as they might impact on the child

• create an interagency service agreement to help the social worker and the family or caregivers to address the needs of the child or young person

• facilitate access to appropriate services for health, education and wellbeing

• help children and young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to adopt healthy behaviours

• identify the support and skills that the parent or caregiver may require to address the needs of the child or young person.

• collate a health and education history for the child or young person to assist them in their future interactions with the health and education systems

Rationale for RTLB Intervention

Improving support for children in care is a government priority.

Children in care are likely to have high education and health needs relative to the general population[1]. A survey in 2008 found that twenty-eight percent of children in care were recorded in the Ministry of Education, Special Education database.

An evaluation of the Gateway pilot regions found that eighty-eight percent of children in care had previously unidentified, or unmet, health needs.

The point of entry to care is an opportunity to make sure information is shared and support is provided to ensure ongoing engagement with education. Maintaining engagement with education and success at school when a child enters care is a priority. Children who come into care will frequently be traumatised and will often have been a victim or a witness of violence. They are likely to be in an aroused state that manifests itself in challenging behaviours at school. Whether the child/young person continues at the same school, or enrols at a new school, after coming into care it is important that they settle at school well and quickly; and that their education is undisrupted and any additional/specific learning needs are identified and met.

Process

· An Education Profile form will be generated by Child Youth and Family when a child enters care.

· The profile form will be sent by Child, Youth and Family to the RTLB Cluster Manager and the child/young person’s school.

· The Cluster Manager will assign an RTLB immediately, if a child or young person:

- has entered the care of the Chief Executive of Child, Youth and Family

- is in school years 1 to 10 (Note: Other referrals e.g. for children and young people outside of this year range will be sent by Child, Youth and Family to the school, or early childhood setting to be completed. The Cluster Manager will receive copies of these referrals)

· The RTLB will facilitate a meeting within 0-4 days with the Principal, the Social Worker, the Caregiver, the Teacher, and MoE Special Education (if a SE client). The meeting may also include the young person.

· The Education Profile will be considered at that meeting. The Teacher and/or RTLB will complete the Education Profile within seven working days of receipt of the request from the Social Worker. A copy of the completed profile is sent to the Child Youth and Family Social Worker and the Gateway Assessment Coordinator.

Contact us: gateway@rtlb.school.nz

For further information see http://www.cyf.govt.nz/keeping-kids-safe/ways-we-work-with-families/gateway-health-and-education-assessments.html

[1] Tozer G, Findings of Gateway Assessment Pilot Evaluation