Family Works is a non-government child protection social work and counselling service that aims to address and reduce instances of child abuse, neglect and family violence in the East Coast community. We have offices in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.We specialise in the care and protection of children and young people aged 0-17 years, as well as their families. Our holistic approach means that we not only deal with the problems, but also have programmes in place to educate and support families/whanau in order to prevent further incidences of violence and minimise the need for intervention in the future. Our services are free of charge. Family Works offers social work services in homes and schools, counselling, child and youth programmes, early childhood learning services, and parent education programmes. Our child-centred, family-focused approach makes safety the number one priority. However, we also focus on working alongside parents, helping them transform their own lives so that they can keep their children safe and be positive role models for their children. Client families are usually referred to us by other agencies such as Child, Youth and Family or by Health Services. Families may also contact us directly.
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Services Offered
Social Work services - provides support to ensure vulnerable children and family members are safe
Whakamana Whanau - a family violence prevention programme that works with both victims and perpetrators of violence in the home
Counselling services - support which addresses a range of issues and is available to all members of the family/whanau
Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) - a school-based social work service in decile 1-3 schools in Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay
Incredible Years Parenting Programme - a programme designed for parents of children aged 3-8 years
Konohi ki te konohi - family violence group programme
Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) - a home-based school preparation programme for children aged 3-5 years
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults
Payment: Pro-bono
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.