Relevance
| Plans and goals are relevant when rangatahi take part in developing them and they take account of their priorities and timeframes. Our mahi matches the cultures, environments and needs of rangatahi. Relevant mahi builds rangatahi strengths, is sustainable, has clear goals and plans. This helps rangatahi feel in control of their lives.
Thanks to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for funding the research that created these resources (MAUX2006). This work by J. Sanders, R. Munford, J. Webster, J. Mercier, D. Abbott & L. Liebenberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 |
Relevant mahi includes:
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To explore this element in more depth, go to the PARTH in practice reflection sheet
"Relevance" orientated rangatahi voices
Anaru's voice
Anaru talks about positive experiences in a residential placement.
Jordan's voice
Jordan describes wanting specific support but being unable to get it.
Tami's voice
Tami describes how collaboration between services created a positive result.
Ioane's voice
Ioane describes a kaimahi who taught different ways to communicate.
Timi talks about his use of carving in his mahi with rangatahi.
With the carving I am trying to do with rangatahi currently which came from (cultural advisor), it’s a really good exercise to do with rangatahi and it lets them share their culture and the significance of what they are doing and who they are as well as allowing them to be creative and expressive. They are also able to give this to someone special to and this gives them something to be proud of.
Tiana's story is an example of respecting what rangatahi say they need and acting on this.
I am a youth worker.
Joanna came to our agency for support with managing issues at home. Her stepfather was verbally aggressive towards her and challenged her mum when she tried to support her daughter.
Joanna felt that her stepdad wanted her out of the house. She said that in the past when she had tried to talk to her teachers about the situation (her difficult home situation was affecting her schoolwork) they didn’t provide her with the right support.
Given her past negative experiences with adults not providing her with the right support, it was important for me to listen to Joanna and understand what she wanted and what she thought may help her situation.
Joanna wanted to talk to her mum in a safe space, so we organised for her mum to come to our offices. We had several meetings and during that time Joanna was able to talk about the support she needed and what she wanted to achieve at school.
What was important here was that Joanna felt listened to. This then freed her up to focus on other things such as learning issues at school and thinking about what subjects she would like to take in the following school year.
Having a safe place to talk with her mum outside the home opened up a space for supportive conversations for both Joanna and her mum.
Relevance indicators
You know you are being Relevant when you:
- Learn what's important to the rangatahi and their interests. Use this to shape activities, e.g. cooking if they like this, or visiting places they are interested in.
- Use the safety plan to help build the relationship, e.g. being aware of their triggers.
- Recognise when things aren’t going well and deal with what’s happening in the moment. This can help to de-escalate situations.
- Make things happen. These things are different for each rangatahi; e.g., family visits may be important in a residential setting, so make sure they happen.
- Structure things around big picture goals. E.g. if a rangatahi is moving to independent living, base all activities around this, -CV writing, getting a driver’s license, forklift licence, job hunting and then flat hunting.
- Make sure the rangatahi is involved in the plan and everyone knows what’s happening, so that they can all support the plan. Adapt when things don’t go to plan.
Relevance reflection cards
Starter resources
