The New Start Programme

New Start is a programme for repeat offenders parenting a child under the age of 6 months, or pregnant.

Acceptance criteria

New Start accepts clients with the following criteria:

• • A parent with at least one criminal conviction within the previous 2 years.
  • Currently parenting a child (or children) under the age of 6 months, or is pregnant (post 24 weeks).
  • If the offending parent is in prison, he/she is within 4 months of release.
  • Living in the Christchurch district.
  • Willing to work with a Social Worker in their own home.
  • Willing to make a commitment to their children and to creating a safe home environment for them.

Referral Packages

Referrals to New Start services are accepted from all government sectors and community-based agencies.

These documents are available for download and printing. All are in PDF format.

You will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents. Should you not have this installed on your computer, you can download it (free) from: http://get.adobe.com/reader/  (If this is not feasible, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and ask for the documents in Word format.)                

• • Information booklets for professionals (applies to all services)
  • Information brochure for clients
  • Information brochure for professionals (applies to both New Start and Safer Families)
  • New Start referral form
  • New Start referral letter
  • Risk factors and guidelines

Over the years 2001-2012, referrals have come from:

• • Justice sector  - 15%
  • Child, Youth and Family Service - 36%
  • Health sector - 41%, 8% of which came from Plunket
  • Community agencies and other sources - 8%

A high proportion of clients presented with severe substance addictions, family violence problems and histories of children removed by CYFS.