thinkbox 2021
You Made it! All Responses Are In
Congratulations, your organisation has just completed an Organisation Review!
You can view your results and recommendations to get a detailed understanding of how your team feels you are integrating the clauses of the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa and the principles of Mana Taiohi, within your practice.
We suggest that you discuss your results and recommendations with your team, management, governance and young people and identify what you’d like to action.
In addition you may like to consider a formal assessment process such as SCOPE and use this tool regularly to track your progress. Why not set a reminder now for 6-12 months time!
Understanding Your Results
The results are based on the collective responses of each person who completes the tool. You will receive a rating based on each individual question, each section and a visual graphic of how your team feels you are integrating the clauses of the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa and the principles of Mana Taiohi, within your practice.
There are three levels: learning, growing and transforming.
Understanding Your Recommendations
Recommendations are calculated based on your results, you will get more recommendations in an area where you may need more support and less in an area where you all believe you are doing well. These are supported by suggested reading and resources.
The recommendations you’ve received are intended to help you explore ongoing learning and develop and embed policy or practice.
EXPLORE
- Our world and the world of our young people is always changing. Up-skilling through reading, training and discussions can be a helpful way to explore new concepts and challenge existing ideas.
- For each section we recommend using the Mana Taiohi resources to help set the framework for your training, discussion or reading and the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa to support your practice and explore ethical ideas. If a specific clause is particularly useful, we’ll mention it.
- You can access online training on most topics via KnowPYD or for Mana Taiohi or Code of Ethics training contact Ara Taiohi for more information: training@arataiohi.org.nz
- Reading Material has more information to support your journey.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- Reviewing policy or practice can be tough going. For advice or suggestions on policy we recommend Community Net or reaching out to your networks for support or assistance. Most organisations are very willing to share their policy docs.
- To support ongoing personal and organisational development you could develop and implement self-reflective processes across your organisation including regular use of the Mana Taiohi Review Tool to track your progress.
Below is a visual graphic of how your team feels you are integrating the clauses of the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa and the principles of Mana Taiohi, within your practice.
RESULTS BY SECTION:
VIEWING: ALL LOCATIONS | ALL ROLES
FILTER BY:
Mana
Growing
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We encourage and resource young people to thrive through the realisation of their own inherent strengths. (COE 3.2)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We have programmes and services that enable our young people to actively develop and discover their identities. (COE 3.5)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We use a strengths-based approach in all of our work. (COE 3)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
Mauri (o te Taiohi)
(COE 1-5)
Growing
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We recognise our primary relationship is with the young person/people we engage with. (COE 1.1)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We recognise the need to build authentic, voluntary relationships with young people. (COE 1.2 & 5.2)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We have sufficient time to build relationships with young people. (COE 1)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We are role models for young people and the communities we work with. (COE 2.1 & 4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
5. We fully inform young people of the services we offer, the kaupapa or values we operate from, the nature of the young person’s involvement and any potential benefits or risks. (COE 5.1, 14.2 & 14.5)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We obtain informed consent from young people who participate in our services or programmes. (COE 5.3)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
7. We create opportunities for young people to feedback on their experience with us (including compliments, complaints or concerns). (COE 5.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
Whakapapa (Taiohi)
(COE 6-7)
Growing
0 Learning
1 Growing
1 Transforming
1. We provide support to young people who wish to discover their whakapapa. (COE 6.1)
0 Learning
1 Growing
1 Transforming
2. We ensure our whole team understands the history of youth work and youth development in Aotearoa. (COE 6.6)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We ensure our whole team understand the pre-colonial context of youth development in Aotearoa. (COE 7.1)
0 Learning
1 Growing
1 Transforming
4. We ensure our whole team is aware of how Te Tiriti o Waitangi and colonisation impacts on young people. (COE 7.3)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
Hononga (Taiohi)
(COE 8-9)
Growing
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We acknowledge and strengthen young people's connections to key people and places. (COE 8.1)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We acknowledge and build on the strengths of the communities a young person identifies with. (COE 8.1 & 13.2)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We hold the relationship between the young person/people and their whānau respectively. (COE 8.2)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We actively connect with local and national networks that contribute towards young people's development. (COE 9.1)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
5. We work collaboratively with other organisations and services to ensure appropriate support for our young people. (COE 9.2)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We seek guidance and develop strong relationships with Whānau, Hapū and Iwi in the communities that we serve. (COE 9.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
Te Ao (Taiohi)
Growing
1 Learning
0 Growing
1 Transforming
1. We support our young people to take control of their relationship with the digital world, social media and technology, and promote critical thinking. (COE 11.3)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We advocate for young people's rights and empower young people to challenge inequitable systems. (COE 12.3)
1 Learning
0 Growing
1 Transforming
2. We consider the young person’s identity and sense of self when developing and running our programmes and services. (12.1)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We respect the rights of our young people and do not discriminate against any young person for any reason. (COE 12.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
5. We actively uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all of our work. (COE 10.2)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We work within all relevant New Zealand and international rights-based legislative requirements (COE 10.2)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
7. We have detailed policies and processes for working in an online context. (COE 11.2)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
Whanaungatanga
(COE 14-17)
Growing
1 Learning
0 Growing
1 Transforming
2. We intentionally engage with a young person/young people to create high trust relationships. (COE 15.1)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We create and maintain culturally and age-appropriate physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual and online boundaries. (COE 15)
1 Learning
0 Growing
1 Transforming
4. We are aware of the limits of our roles, skills, competencies and when to seek support. (COE 17.2)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We are open, honest and accountable to our young people. (COE 14.1)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
Manaakitanga
(COE 18-20)
Learning
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We create safe and caring environments for every young person who engages with our organisation. (COE 20.1)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We encourage and create spaces for self-care and reflective practice. (COE 18.1 & 18.2)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We support each other to understand how our worldview influences the way we work with young people. (COE 18.4)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We have policies in place to ensure that relationships with our young people and the wider community are not abused. (COE 19)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
5. We work within the requirements of all relevant New Zealand and international legislation. (COE 20.3)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We have a risk management policy to ensure best practice in working with young people. (COE 20.3 & 20.4)
1 Learning
0 Growing
0 Transforming
Whai Wāhitanga
Growing
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
1. Our organisation acknowledges the mana of young people, and from this their right to participate. (COE 21.1)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We create spaces for young people to participate according to their cultural, social, ability and spiritual needs. (COE 21.3)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We encourage young people to use their strengths to benefit others. (COE 21)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We provide opportunities for young people to participate in our programmes. (COE 21.3 & 21.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
5. Our organisation provides opportunities for young people to participate in management and governance of programmes, services or our organisation overall (COE 21.3 & 21.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We provide opportunities for young people to participate in formal leadership roles (paid or voluntary). (COE 21.3 & 21.4)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
7. Our organisation informs young people of ways to support their wellbeing through providing access to relevant information. (COE 21.5)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
8. Our organisation promotes opportunities for young people to have an active voice in their community and encourages youth-led advocacy. (COE 12.3 & 21)
0 Learning
0 Growing
1 Transforming
Mātauranga
(COE 22-24)
Growing
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
1. We acknowledge and uphold the mātauranga, stories and experiences our young people have. (COE 13.1)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
2. We resource regular supervision for anyone working with young people. (COE 22)
0 Learning
2 Growing
0 Transforming
3. We actively reflect on attitudes and methods, and are open to learning from a variety of spaces, including indigenous, informal and evidence-based mātauranga. (COE 24.1)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
4. We monitor and evaluate all of our work against a youth development approach which includes young people’s voices. (COE 23.3)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
5. We empower ourselves with rich and diverse mātauranga to best support our young people. (COE 24.2 & 24.4)
1 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
6. We have ongoing training to support best practice with an increasingly diverse youth population. (COE 24.2)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
7. We keep up-to-date with developments in youth development research, evidence and legislation. (COE 23)
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
8. Our organisation has knowledge and understanding of The Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand and how it applies to our work.
0 Learning
1 Growing
0 Transforming
RESULTS BY SECTION:
VIEWING: ALL LOCATIONS | ALL ROLES
FILTER BY:
Mana
Mana is the authority we inherit at birth and we accrue over our lifetime. It determines the right of a young person to have agency in their lives and the decisions that affect them. Mana is an overarching principle and the following eight principles are in two sequential sections recognising: firstly, the mana young people have, and secondly, how a youth development approach enhances what exists. Below you will find recommendations for Mana as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to keep supporting young people to have agency in their lives and the decisions that affect them.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- explore your individual and team strengths and how you can best draw on these in your broader team and work environment through individual coaching or team training using Gallup Strengths Finder or VIA. The Strengths Network can help you find local strengths coaches. You could consider this as part of your professional development programme.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- a strengths-based approach across your organisation’s work with individual and group work. Check out the resources below to support your journey.
- practice which can create more space for young people to realise their identities in your individual and group practice.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about Mana in Mana Taiohi.
- Check out Mana in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa.
- Read the Mana section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our review of Youth Development Research in Aotearoa. There are lots of great research papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- Find out more about the strengths-based approach:
- Strengths Network South Pacific
- 40 Developmental Assets
- Building the 6 C’s of Positive Youth Development
- Aotearoa-based indigenous models that are inherently strengths-based such as Te Whare Tapa Whā or Te Wheke or TOHATOHA.
- VIA
- Te Ara Whakamana: The Mana-Enhancement Model
- The Circle of Mana
- The Māia model
- 5 Column Tool. You can find training on the 5 Column Tool here.
Mauri (o te Taiohi) (COE 1-5)
We fuel the mauri, the inherent life spark of young people, supporting the development of their identity. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Mauri (o te Taiohi) as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to keep fuelling the life spark inherent in all young people so that they are seen, recognised and valued for who they are.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- the practice of maintaining the primary relationship with the young person into orientation and/or hold a refresher training.
- processes to build quality relationships with young people to enable authentic relationships regardless of whether the young person is mandated to work with your organisation. Youth work skills are essential to ensure success in working effectively with young people, especially when their participation is not voluntary.
- policy across your organisation which provides sufficient time for all team members to build relationships with the young people they work with and within reasonable ratios. Explore whether your current funding arrangement supports quality relationship development.
- group processes and expectations on appropriate behaviour for all team members when at work and not at work, in-person and online, including debriefing processes when ethical issues arise. This could be process-oriented or a code of conduct.
- the opportunity to hold courageous conversations which support everyone involved to come to a positive resolution.
- policies and proceduresthat identify how your organisation informs young people of the services you offer, the kaupapa or values you operate from, the nature of the young person’s involvement and any risks.
- policies and procedures to ensure informed consent from young people who participate in your services/programmes.
- improvements to feedback processes based on discussions with young people engaging with your service.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Mauri
- Check out the Mauri clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 1. Hononga Matua | Primary Relationship
- 2. Whanonga Matatika | Behaviour Covered by the Code
- 3. Iho Pūmanawa | Strengths-Based
- 4. Ngākau Pono | Integrity
- 5. Whakaaetanga Matatika | Informed Consent
- Read the Mauri section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- Explore models which include Mauri:
Whakapapa (Taiohi) (COE 6-7)
With young people we understand and affirm their whakapapa. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Whakapapa (Taiohi) as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to keep acknowledging our shared histories and the impact of colonisation in Aotearoa. Acknowledging the whakapapa of young people means, in their own way and in their own time, exploring how these histories influence their lives right now.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- your organisation’s history into your induction process and where appropriate run a refresher meeting for your team to remind them where you have come from.
- you may want to connect with an experienced youth worker from your region and take them out for a coffee!
- ongoing orientation, regular and refresher training programme for all team members on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the impact of colonisation on young people with an expert in this field.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Whakapapa.
- Check out the Whakapapa clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 6. Ko Au, Ko Koe, Ko Tātou
- 7. Te Whakapapa o Aotearoa | Understanding Aotearoa
- Read the Whakapapa section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- Māorimaps.com or YourIwi.com to find iwi connections.
- Read about whakapapa and youth work in Kaiparahuarahi.
Hononga (Taiohi) (COE 8-9)
With young people we understand hononga, identify and strengthen connections. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Hononga (Taiohi) as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to support young people to identify and strength all the connected relationships in their world (whānau, peers, school, the community and the environment).
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- activities into your service to support young people to explore their relationship with local, regional, national and international contexts, online and in-person.
- processes led by young people to build community strengths into your programmes or one-on-one work. This could include traditional practices, rituals, concepts or history whilst avoiding appropriation or tokenism.
- policies which outline how you involve whānau in your organisation including when consent may or may not be required.
- connections by contributing to your local, regional or national networks.
- an in-house directory and referral processes with local organisations that you have built relationships with to support wrap-around care for the young people you work with. This could include planning for crisis situations. See Digital Youth Sector Hub for ideas.
- further develop relationships with Whānau, Hapū, Iwi in your community. Let them know you are keen to take your relationship with them deeper and ask them how you can support their young people and their mahi.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Hononga (Taiohi).
- Check out the Hononga (Taiohi) clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 8. Tūhonotanga | Connectedness
- 9. Mahitahi | Collaboration
- Read about Hononga (Taiohi) in the Whakapapa (Taiohi) section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- Explore these models for building connections:
- BronfenBrenner’s 4 Worlds Tool
- HEEADSSS (used in a strengths-based way)
- Te Whāriki: The Woven Mat for ideas on a framework
- Mana Ōrite
- Check out these directories for information on populations and services.
- Thriving Rangatahi Population Explorer
- MyRivr
- the Family Services Directory
- and explore what’s available in your local community.
Te Ao (Taiohi)
With young people we explore Te Ao. Te Ao (Taiohi) is the world of the young person. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Te Ao (Taiohi) as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to ensure your practice is informed by an understanding of systemic influences that affect young people.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- your policies with support from an expert in this field, to ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi is considered in all of your work.
- how to work effectively online and develop a policy for this. Refer to the Digital Check-up for Youth Workers in the Code of Ethics.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- regular training on supporting young people to take control of their relationship with the digital world in orientation and ongoing professional development.
- any adaptations to your programme to ensure you are supporting identity/whakapapa-based community, community of interest and place based community for all young people you serve. See the reading list for possible training providers.
- practices where you discuss how macro factors such as UNCROC, Child Youth Wellbeing Strategy and Youth Action Plan affect young people and ways that you could respond to these.
- human rights and discrimination training into your orientation and ongoing practice. For more information visit the Human Rights Commission or Te Ngākau Kahukura for support with discrimination towards Rainbow young people.
- a process to ensure that your organisation responds to any rights-based legislative changes affecting young people. Check out Community Net, Youth Law, your local Community Law Centre or Citizen’s Advice Bureau for information on the latest changes.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Te Ao (Taiohi).
- Check out Te Ao (Taiohi) clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 10. Ngā Tikanga | Rights and Responsibilities
- 11. Ā-Ipurangi | Youth Work Online
- 12. Mana Taurite | Equity
- 13. Mata Huhua | Diversity
- Read about Te Ao (Taiohi) in the Whakapapa (Taiohi) section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our Review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great papers referenced if you want to learn more.
For training, evaluation or support consider:- Te Ngākau Kahukura a national initiative that works to improve the environments around rainbow young people to make sure they are affirming, welcoming and non-discriminatory.
- Enabling Good Lives for ideas on how to support people with mixed abilities.
- Local marae, culture groups, churches, mosques or other religious or cultural centres to upskill in the area of particular cultures, faiths and traditions.
- Human Rights Commission
- Advocacy Resources:
Whanaungatanga (COE 14-17)
With young people we prioritise whanaungatanga, taking time to build and sustain quality relationships. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Whanaungatanga as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to invest in high trust relationships that are reciprocal, genuine, authentic intentional and mana enhancing.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- your job descriptions and orientation process to ensure you have clear limits of roles and processes to seek support.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- policies and procedures to ensure you hold yourselves, your team and your organisation accountable to your young people and have processes to manage any issues which arise.
- policies and processes for intentional engagement and high trust relationships with young people in your organisation. You may want to connect with similar organisation in your context to compare and share.
- processes to manage appropriate boundaries between all team members and between young people themselves.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Whanaungatanga.
- Check out the following Whanaungatanga Clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa clauses:
- 14. Kia Awatea | Transparency
- 15. Matatapu | Confidentiality
- 16. Ngā Tauārai | Boundaries
- 17. Kia Mataara Ki Ngā Ripa Tauārai| Knowing Your Limits
- Read the Whanaungatanga section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our Review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research
- Code of Ethics Trainers (Contact Ara Taiohi for more information)
- NZ Youth Mentoring Network Resources
Manaakitanga (COE 18-20)
With young people we uphold and extend manaakitanga, nourishing collective wellbeing. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Manaakitanga as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
Your team is at the beginning of your journey to explore the principle Manaakitanga. We hope these suggestions help you to better understand the principle of Manaakitanga and how it relates to your work with young people.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- how to incorporate more self-care and reflective practice into your individual and team processes. See the Digital Youth Sector Hub Self-Care Tips for ideas.
- how to encourage self-reflective practice in individual and group processes including how your own worldview could influence the work you do with young people. Use Kia Aroā | Self-Awareness of the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa to help facilitate discussion.
- potential areas in your relationships with young people that could be abused for personal, professional, religious, political or financial gain. Consider in-person, online and unconscious bias. You could use Āu Ake Whāinga | Personal Agendas or Kia Awatea | Transparency of the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa to help guide discussions and consider the Harvard Implicit Association Test.
- any legislative changes affecting young people and identify any changes that need to be made to your organisation. Check out Community Net, Youth Law, your local Community Law Centre or Citizen’s Advice Bureau for information on the latest changes.
- your risk management policy to ensure best practice in working with young people. See Community Net or reach out to your networks for examples.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- feedback from young people to identify ways a more supportive environment could be created. You could use a holistic model like Te Whare Tapa Whā or Te Wheke to support this process.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Manaakitanga.
- Check out the Manaakitanga clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 18. Kia Aroā | Self-Awareness
- 19. Āu Ake Whāinga | Personal Agendas
- 20. Haumaru | Safety
- Read the Manaakitanga section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our Review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- For policy or legislative issues see:
- Community Net
- Community Law
- Youth Law
- You could also reach out to your networks for specific policy advice.
Whai Wāhitanga
Acknowledging mana, whai wāhitanga recognises young people as valued contributors to society, giving them space to participate, assume agency and take responsibility. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Whai Wāhitanga as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to enable all young people to be empowered to participate, rather than privileging the voices of a few.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- how youth participation can differ across cultural, social, ability or spiritual contexts and seek support from young people and representatives of specific groups you are working with to support best practice in your organisation.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- your approach to youth participation and implement any necessary changes. See the list below for possible models and visit KnowPYD for training resources.
- processes to support and encourage the young people you work with to more actively contribute to their family, whānau, community, regionally, nationally or internationally. You could partner with others to support engagement.
- policies and processes in programme or service development that enable young people to fully participate.
- policies and processes for young people to meaningfully participate in management and governance of programmes, services and your organisation. See below for models including young people and governance and read Whai Wahitanga by Rod Baxter, Hannah Dunlop and Sarah Finlay-Robinson. If your organisation does not work directly with young people then consider engaging with community organisations who work with young people to enable more in-depth engagement.
- policies and processes for young people to meaningfully participate in formal leadership roles. This could be in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- processes to regularly review the information young people engaging with your organisation need, how this is accessed and ways dissemination could be improved. This could include in-person, online or physical resources.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Whai Wāhitanga.
- Check out the Whai Wāhitanga clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 21. Whakamana | Empowerment
- Read about Whai Wāhitanga in the Mana section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our Review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great research papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- For an overview of youth participation read: Whai Wahitanga: Youth Participation in Aotearoa before 2020 and beyond by Rod Baxter, Hannah Dunlop and Sarah Finlay-Robinson, listen to Rod Baxter’s keynote at the 2021 INVOLVE conference or check out NZ Youth Mentoring Network training.
- Explore youth participation models:
Mātauranga (COE 22-24)
With young people we are empowered by rich and diverse mātauranga, informed by good information. Below you will find recommendations for the principle of Mātauranga as a whole as well as specific recommendations related to your results. These fall into two main areas: ongoing learning and reviewing policy and practice.
You’re doing well! We hope these suggestions will help your team to continue to empower young people and people who work with young people with rich and diverse mātauranga that supports personal and professional growth. We can strengthen mātauranga by weaving together different forms of knowledge and making them relevant to the decisions facing young people and their whānau.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
EXPLORE
- how you can better support the professional development of your team members. This could include enabling knowledge sharing (e.g. presenting or attending conferences such as INVOLVE), professional recognition (e.g. supporting youth workers to become Korowai Tupu Members and engage in Transforming Practice) or supporting participation in further training or study.
- the value of supervision and identify how to provide supervision (within your funding constraints) for all team members working directly with young people. Read the Supervision Scrapbook to learn more about supervision and the Supervisor Directory for possible supervisors in your area.
- the Mana Taiohi framework , other youth development models or youth audit tools.
DEVELOP AND EMBED
- regular reflections on how you and your organisation acknowledge and uphold the mātauranga, stories and experiences your young people have.
- regular opportunities for your team to share their learnings and reflections from conferences, webinars or local trainings.
- induction and refresher training for all team members to ensure that everyone is working to best practice in youth development. Consider formal and non-formal learning opportunities such as conversations with young people, community members or experts. See key topics in the reading list below.
- the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand into your induction, refreshers and ongoing reflective practice sessions.
- learning about new youth development research or legislation into team meetings and/or performance management processes.
READING MATERIAL
- Learn more about the Mana Taiohi principle of Mātauranga.
- Check out the Mātauranga clauses in the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa:
- 22. Kaitiakitanga | Supervision
- 23. Te Rangahau Me Te Arotake | Research and Evaluation
- 24. Te Whakapakari Me Te Ako | Professional Development
- Read the Mātauranga section of Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga, our review of Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Development Research. There are lots of great research papers referenced if you want to learn more.
- For supervision support see:
- For support with reviewing consider an organisational review with SCOPE.
- For Youth Work professional development see:
- Korowai Tupu Membership
- Korowai Tupu Core Competencies
- Youth Work Courses
- Some key topics to consider are:
- Cultural approaches
- Digital and social media
- Employment and education
- Engagement and participation
- Health and wellbeing
- Identity
- Organisational development
- Professional development
- Significant event response
- Supervision
- Youth development approaches.
- Find about training opportunities through:
- INVOLVE
- KnowPYD
- Ara Taiohi (for COE and Mana Taiohi).