Budget 2010 - Supporting teen parents
The Government is investing $14.9 million over the next four years to support vulnerable teen parents and their children.
New Zealand has the second highest teen birth rate amongst developed countries. In 2009 alone there were 4,670 children born to teenagers. While many of these teen parents and their children do well, some have little family support and limited parenting capacity and skills.
For this reason the Government is investing in three initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable teen parents and their children:
1. Teen parent intensive case workers and volunteer supporters
The Government is investing $7.9 million over four years in refocusing the role of the nine existing teen parent co-ordinators to that of intensive case workers and increasing the number to 19. They will help teen parents in high needs communities stay in education and work with those on benefits to prepare for future employment.
Case workers will link teen parents and children to the services and support they need, such as antenatal care, housing, budgeting and parenting services. They will also be responsible for ensuring the children of teen parents are participating in Well Child services and early childhood education. Preventing further unplanned pregnancies will also be a focus.
Volunteer neighbourhood supporters will assist the case workers in the nine communities where teen parent co-ordinators are currently working. They will provide support for teen parents who are not facing major challenges, but may be isolated and would benefit from greater support to stay connected with their neighbourhoods.
2. Supported housing for teen parents and children
The Government is investing $6.2 million over four years for up to seven supported houses, in high needs communities. This will provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week support by trained staff for teen parents and their children.
There are a number of young teenage parents and children living in unsafe environments, sometimes in overcrowded housing. These are young people who are unable to be supported by their parents and who lack resources to find a suitable and stable place to live.
Currently there are few supported housing options specifically for pregnant and parenting teenagers. For example, Holly House in Christchurch, and Bethany in Auckland, take nationwide referrals and there is a high demand for beds.
This initiative will be a partnership between MSD and approved community organisations, such as family support, church, iwi or culturally based groups which have existing properties that could be used for this purpose. Funding includes costs associated with running the house, with residents who are receiving income support contributing to their board and lodgings. Providers will also work closely with health and education services.
3. Parenting support for teen fathers
The Government is investing $730,000 over four years in the development of guidelines and training for providers of parenting support to teen fathers. These guidelines will bring together what is known from research and good practice, and enable examples of effective parenting support to be shared.
Teen mothers are commonly the focus of initiatives for teen parents and teen fathers are often overlooked. We know that teenage mothers parent better when they have strong social and emotional support from their child's father. This initiative will support the development and delivery of parenting support programmes specifically designed for teen fathers in up to nine high needs communities.
Parenting support will provide teen fathers with information and skills to prepare for the birth of their child, parent their children effectively, and identify and respond to their children's health, education and social needs.
