IDEA Family/Whanau Services supports children, young people and adults with intellectual disabilities who live with family or caregivers. Services are designed to strengthen families and to support the person and their family to lead an ordinary life in their community.

Access to family/whanau services requires a referral from the Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination agency, or from Child Youth and Family Services.

Once this has been received and accepted by IDEA Services, a Family/Whanau co-ordinator or manager will make contact. Family/Whanau staff are based in more than 30 different locations across the country.

Useful links

www.skylight.org.nz – a service for children and young people experiencing grief, loss and change, and for those that care for them
www.cyf.govt.nz – Child, Youth and Family services is the statutory agency charged with the care and protection of all children and young people
www.plunket.org.nz – 0-5-year service
www.relate.org.nz – counselling for relationship issues, and educational courses including life skills, parenting, and stopping violence.
www.barnardos.org.nz – a range of support and information services for children and their families
www.enable.co.nz – access to information, funding for equipment, assessment and housing alterations. www.nzfostercare.org.nz – support and education for foster parents caring for a child or young person