Get support

Getting support from VOYCE

There are a range of ways that VOYCE can support your young person while they’re in care, which you can find here.

VOYCE’s main goal is to support young people while they’re in care, and their journey to independence after life in care. This means that we’re not an advocacy service for caregivers, or biological parents. There are some wonderful organisations who support
caregivers and parents listed below.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
0800 472 637

Caring Families Aotearoa

0800 693 323

Barnardos Aotearoa
0800 227 627

Kia Puāwai

Open Home Foundation

Family Start (Auckland)

0800 3267 8278

Refer a young person

If you’re a caregiver, whānau member, social worker or other adult in the life of a care experienced young person and would like to refer them to VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, this is super easy to do.

We recommend checking that the young person wants to engage with VOYCE, as we’ll usually only get involved if the young person wants our support.

If you’re referring a young child or pēpi, or someone with complex needs, we understand there can be limits to comprehension and communication. Our team of awesome kaimahi will look at how best to communicate with and amplify the needs, rights and wishes of te tamaiti (the child).

To make a referral, you can either:

  • email contactus@voyce.org.nz
  • or call 0800 4 VOYCE (0800 486 923)
    This number is monitored during standard business hours 8:30am – 5:00pm.
    In an emergency, please call 111.

The information we’ll need includes:

  • your name and contact details
  • the name of the child and their contact details
  • the region the child lives in
  • some information about the need for advocacy.

Consulting with VOYCE

If you’re interested in working with VOYCE, consulting with young people, or would like to speak to someone from VOYCE in regards to media or research, we recommend that you read Kia Tika, Kia Pono first – our ethical framework on how to engage with children and young people with care experience.

For media enquiries, please email communications@voyce.org.nz
For research, consultation or other youth engagement enquiries, please email contactus@voyce.org.nz

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.