Our story

In 2018, Oranga Tamariki convened a Children’s Workforce Development Group to address workforce concerns in Dunedin. Key concerns identified were a shortage of experienced, skilled practitioners and the challenge of recruiting and retaining staff who can work in an integrated way. The group also considered how the community might better support and invest in tertiary student placements and new graduates as future frontline practitioners.

A trial Integrated Practice Accelerator was run after the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. The trial was coordinated by Otago Youth Wellness Trust for students on placement with Malcam Trust, Oranga Tamariki, Otago Youth Wellness Trust, YouthGrow, Tiaki Taoka, and Mirror Counselling. The students were from various disciplines, including youth work, social work and occupational therapy. They also included frontline practitioners re-entering training and on secondment in the children’s workforce. The trial showed the value of integrated practice that takes a whole-of-life approach to understanding the ‘why’ and doesn’t just react to present needs.

In 2021, with support from the Otago Community Trust, the pilot programme was launched. Since then, seven cohorts have been through the programme.