VOYCE reaches out to all children in care

  • Care Experienced Intern sends out personalised cards to young people in care.

An important part of the current legislation is that pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi in care have access to an independent advocacy service – which is where VOYCE comes in. Over the last month, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has been reaching out to children in care to let them know who we are, and to inform them that our advocacy is a service freely available to them.

One of our key frontline staff in this outreach has been Stanley Baldwin. Stanley is currently a VOYCE Youth Advisor Intern who previously served on the National VOYCE Youth Council last year. “We wanted kids in care to know that that we recognise them as unique individuals,” says Stanley. With input from care experienced young people, special cards were developed with tamariki aged 10 years and younger receiving a different card design to rangatahi older than 10.

Before our personalised cards went out, VOYCE did send an introduction letter to all caregivers. We recognise the important part played by caregivers in the work we do – in fact, for many years caregivers strongly called for and supported our establishment as an organisation.

With a growing network of trusted Kaiwhakamana (advocates) around the country, VOYCE is working to enhance the mana of each pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi. We run local events and experiences, creating safe networks and communities that connect care-experienced young people and help build positive morale.

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.