Te Korowai Tauawhi (Family Start)

Te Korowai Tauawhi (Family Start)

Te Korowai Tauawhi (Family Start) is a weekly home visiting programme that focuses on improving children’s growth and health, learning and relationships, family circumstances, environment and safety.

It helps families/whānau who are struggling with challenges or problems that may make it harder for them to care for their baby or young child.

Te KorowaiTauawhi (Family Start) will begin to support babies and their parents/caregivers early—before the baby’s birth or in their first year.

Te Korwai Tauawhi will help:

  • the child grow strong, learn, stay healthy and have positive relationships
  • parents/caregivers to be more confident about caring for their child
  • families/whānau create a strong and positive future for their child

When should I contact Te Korowai Tauawhi?

It’s better to get help as soon as you can.

We can start any time from when the Mama is in her second trimester (3 months) until the child’s second birthday. Even if a child is a bit older, we might still be able to help. We can keep working with you and your whanau until your child goes to school, if you need it.

We can also work with children past the age of 5 if these children are referred to the Te Waka Tamariki and meet eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more about Te Waka Tamariki.

How does Te Korowai Tauawhi work and help me?

A whānau worker will:

  • visit you at home on a weekly basis, getting to know you, your child and your family/whanau​
  • support you to set goals for yourself, your baby and your whanau; which could work toward your problem solving
  • walk you through the parenting programme ‘Parenting Resources’ which provides a wealth of information, e.g. teething, toileting,
  • provide information on the ages and stages of your baby
  • offer you advice about the importance of immunisation and support your freedom to choose whether you immunize
  • ensure you have support for baby’s Well Child checks
  • also support you to enroll baby in Oral hygiene
  • advocate on behalf e.g. ensure you are receiving your full entitlement if you are on a benefit; support you with finding housing etc

Te Korowai Tauawhi is not an alternative to emergency or crisis help from other organisations, but may well work with other agencies and professionals to support you in caring for your child. Go to our links page to see more agencies helping families/whānau in Hamilton.

How can I get help?

If you or the child’s other parent/caregiver have
any of these challenges and this is making
parenting harder, Te Korowai Tauawhi may be able to help.

  • mental health issues
  • drinking, using drugs or gambling too much
  • abuse when you were a child
  • serious problems with your partner or family/ whānau
  • don’t know how to make sure your child is healthy and growing strong
  • your child has a disability or needs special care
  • Child Youth and Family (CYFS) now known as Oranga Tamariki are or have been involved with your family/whānau
  • you are a young parent with other challenge and need extra support.
Make a referral

Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST) Referral Form

Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST) delivers free, home-based support services for all whānau in Waikato and Waipa.

Support/services you can refer to:

  1. Te Korowai Tauawhi - Family Start(early Intervention for whānau with pre-school tamariki)
  2. Kāinga Rua (transitional housing)
  3. Poipoia Te Mokopuna (ECE Support)
  4. Te Waka Tamariki (collaborative approach with whānau & tamariki up to 18 years)
  5. Tiakina Te Rito Rangatahi (Youth Support)

By clicking the submit button at the end, the whānau being referred consent to Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust receiving this information and then contacting you to discuss what services/supports the whānau require. All information entered below will be kept confidential by Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust and used for the sole purpose of assessing the suitability of referrals.

Tell us about you

You can refer yourself to KFST services, or a professional/practitioner can refer on your behalf. You can include more than one child per referral. Please ensure to include all details for each Child.

Unfortunately we're not able to proceed with this referral unless we have whanau consent. Please seek consent from the whanau before making a referral.
Tamaiti / Child Details

Please provide all four details for each child you are referring.

Check “Unborn” if you are expecting only
Please provide the details for any additional tamariki/children in the home, if they are also considered a referral:
Additional Tamariki/Child
Add Tamariki
Caregiver details - please provide the details below for the caregiver/parent:
Add additional caregiver
Additional Caregiver
How can we help?

Please tick all options that relate to the tamariki / child or to the parent / caregiver of the tamariki you are refering. The more details you provide us the better able we are to find you appropriate support.

Additional information
Consent / Submit Referral

Please check your contact details are correct below so that someone from KFST can contact you to discuss your referral

Name
Relationship
N.A.
N.A.
Contact phone
Email
Address

By clicking Submit below you consent to Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust receiving your information and contacting you. You will also be emailed a copy of your referral form.

Ngā mihi nui. Thank you for your patience and effort in making a referral.

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KFST
Office: 115 Rostrevor Street,
Hamilton Central
(07) 848-0008
admin@kfst.org.nz
© Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust 2023