Respect
Respect is key to good practice. Respect is about taking rangatahi as they are, acknowledging their ideas and valuing culture and the people, places and things that are important to them.
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
Kaimahi can take responsibility for creating a respectful environment by:
- Being respectfully curious and focusing on listening and understanding first,
- Showing respect to rangatahi, their whānau and other important people in their lives,
- Recognising the knowledge that rangatahi and those around them bring and using this in the mahi,
- Learning about cultures and value systems of rangatahi and seeking guidance when they don’t know something,
- Finding ways to strengthen cultural connections and a sense of belonging,
- Role modelling respect of rangatahi to other kaimahi.
To explore this element in more depth, go to the PARTH in practice reflection sheet.
"Respect" orientated rangatahi voices
Pete's voice
Pete reflects on the difference between the 'real' people and the 'fakes'.
Poppy's voice
Poppy describes a non-judgemental kaimahi who helped her to manage her feelings.
Rana's voice
Rana talks about feeling safe.
Moira shares her approach with a rangatahi who was angry.
I worked with a rangatahi who started off angry and shut down. He would walk into my office and go off his nut.
After he was done, I’d look at him and go: 'Are you finished now?' and then I’d go: 'Right now let’s have a conversation about what you just said'.
We all need a rant; rangatahi aren’t any different. They’re not yelling at you they’re just venting.
We all need that sometimes, a space to get things off our chest. There’s no point trying to work with someone who is hyped up and ready to explode.
Filip shares his awareness of being a professional presence in the lives of rangatahi.
It can be difficult for rangatahi to really feel they have control over their future when there are so many professionals in their life.
Yes, they are saying this is your choice, but they are still there, you have still got your Social Worker, your transitions worker around you, your lawyer and whoever else maybe involved.
So yes, they are saying that this is your plan, but you can’t just go off by yourself and do that plan because you have the professionals.
I think yes, there are times where we are very rangatahi focused but with the understanding that we are still a professional presence their lives.
Respect indicators
You know you are being respectful when you:
- Treat ragatahi how you would want ot be treated. Are consistent.
- Find out about rangatahi and what's important to them. Follow through on what you have said.
- Are on time.
- Use tone and body language to be with rangatahi, for example walking beside them rather than in front or behind.
- Acknowledge if you've made a mistake or got it wrong.
- Respond calmly and do things for rangatahi even if you're frustrated and annoyed.
- Listen to rangatahi and know their triggers and what they know works.
- Find out about their culture and bring that into the mahi.
Respect reflection cards
Starter resources
