Social worker Sher Gestro, Service leader at Lifewise Family Services in Auckland New Zealand talks about ‘Mana Whānau’ – a social work programme that works with families that are at imminent risk of losing their child to state-care when it has been identified that a child is at significant risk.
The intensive evidence-based programme involves social workers working in the family home for initially up to 65 hours-per-week and then scaling down as the family gains the ability to cope and parent well.
The transformational programme strengthens the extended family to provide a loving, caring environment for their child and prevents children from being removed to state-care.
In the video, Sher talks to Rory Truell, IFSW Secretary-General, about how the Mana Whānau programme works.
For more information:
Lifewise Family Services: www.lifewise.org.nz
The International Federation of Social Workers: www.ifsw.org