Page 4 - Kete 1 Resource Book

FAMILY WORKS:
HOW WE WORK
Family Works Central (Family Works) is part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central (PSC). Established in 1906, PSC has a long and strong connection with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa.
Family Works has many varied ways of demonstrating the value we place on the special status of Tangata Whenua (people of the land). While Family Works
is not required to become a bi-cultural organisation, our commitment to Māori is demonstrated by our commitment to this kaupapa. We will continually work to develop and embrace bi-cultural practices and service delivery in partnership with Māori. We will continue to focus on providing high quality services to Māori, supporting our Māori staff and promoting cultural competency throughout the organisation.
We will ensure that:
• there is meaningful participation of Māori at all levels of Family Works
Policy
We will ensure Family Works policies and procedures support continual partnership development of relationships with Māori.
We will ensure Māori perspectives are part of policy development. We are developing mechanisms to ensure Māori perspectives contribute to both the development of our new and the review of existing policies.
The current policy review cycle occurs four times a year and is overseen and coordinated by the Business Development Manager. To ensure Māori perspectives contribute to both the development of new and the review of existing policies, consultation and guidance is requested from the Family Works’ Roopu. The Māori Caucus Committee may also be referred to for their advice.
TeReo
We will include the use of Te Reo in Family Works documentation. This is part of recognising the special status of Tangata Whenua.
The practice of using Māori words that are commonly used in the social service sector (such as whānau, tamariki and rangatahi) will remain. An academic standard will be used to determine how words are presented. This means the Māori term will be used, followed by the English translation in brackets. For example: “Services that help whānau (families) build the necessary supports and strengths to deal with complex challenges around parenting and whānau (family) circumstances so that their tamariki (children) flourish and whānau (family) relationships thrive.”
The process for establishing where it is appropriate to translate English into Te Reo Māori, such as a passage or a whole document, will be determined by the respective Leadership Team member in consultation with the Family Works Roopu and the General Manager, External Relations.
• Māori perspectives contribute to service planning, provision and development
• cultural awareness, safety and competence are an integral part of Family Works staff training and development
• Family Works policies and procedures support continual development of relationships with Māori.
Training
We will ensure cultural awareness, safety and competence are an integral part of Family Works staff training and development.
Induction processes will ensure new employees are provided with an understanding of Family Works’ commitment to Tangata Whenua. There will also be appropriate training for regional managers, practice leaders and other senior staff (on a two to three yearly basis).
Page 4
PSC FW - Māori Cultural Awareness Kete 1 | Published 2017