The Ngātahi Children’s Workforce Development Programme in Hawke’s Bay

Ngātahi is a workforce development programme for practitioners working with children and families experiencing complex mental health, addictions and social issues (the “vulnerable children’s workforce”) in Hawke’s Bay. Thirty-one health, education and social services representing over 500 practitioners are now involved. Wānanga are co-constructed and co-delivered by experts in clinical practice and experts in tikanga, weaving practice and tikanga together throughout all aspects of the programme. Developing relationships and communication between practitioners across services is an explicit goal of the programme. In an independent evaluation both Māori and non-Māori practitioners report that the tools and teaching were relevant and helpful, they are using the new tools in practice, communicating better between services and outcomes have improved for whānau. In this talk Dr Wills discusses the whakapapa of the programme, how it developed, the impact on practitioners and whānau, and lessons learnt.