Trust

Trust is key to relational practice. It is being consistent, respecting rangatahi dignity and mana, being transparent about what is happening and keeping our word.

Being open and transparent about decisions also helps build trust.

We make sure rangatahi have meaningful involvement in decision making and we keep them informed about how and why decisions are made.

 

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 who use trust:

  • Tell rangatahi what is happening, why, and how long things may take,
  • Involve rangatahi in decision making,
  • Are up front about what they can and can’t do,
  • Give rangatahi information about how systems work and help them access services,
  • Understand rangatahi have been let down and may test their dependability,
  • Admit when they have made a mistake and say sorry,
  • Treat rangatahi and those important to them with respect.

To explore this element in more depth, go to the PARTH in practice reflection sheet.

"Trust" orientated rangatahi voices

Lusi's voice

Lusi recalls positive experiences with her social worker.

Mavi's voice

Mavi describes a kaimahi who keeps promises.

Mele's voice

Mele talks about a second chance.

All Trust voices

Rawiri shares his approach to goal setting with rangatahi

Kaimahi stories have come from the youthsay partners. Te Aroha Noa Community Services, INNOV8, Dingwall Launch Programme, VIBE, Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services (TYMS), Reconnect Family Services, Kapiti Youth Support (KYS) and other kaimahi shared these stories from their mahi. They have been anonymised to protect identities. A big thank you to the organisations and kaimahi who have generously shared their wisdom and experience.

As the cultural advisor supporting rangatahi in our mentoring programme, I have taken PARTH a step further with the young men I engage with.

I use reflective practice (always looking at previous aspects of my practice, to improve) as a means to understand the rangatahi and their needs.

I also use it as a tool for them to use. I do this by encouraging rangatahi to reflect on decisions they have made regarding behaviours, attitudes or actions, that have negative consequences either at school, home or in the community.

I then thread the PARTH elements into this exploration. For example, we observe the ways they are developing agency. Then we can explore possible positive alternatives of behaviour, attitudes and actions, through trial and error. In this each rangatahi is ultimately responsible for their choices. This creates autonomous ways of thinking.

This can only be done through building positive, trusting, transparent, respectful relationships.

Read more

Sala talks about supporting a rangatahi to shift their perspective on an unhealthy relationship.

Kaimahi stories have come from the youthsay partners. Te Aroha Noa Community Services, INNOV8, Dingwall Launch Programme, VIBE, Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services (TYMS), Reconnect Family Services, Kapiti Youth Support (KYS) and other kaimahi shared these stories from their mahi. They have been anonymised to protect identities. A big thank you to the organisations and kaimahi who have generously shared their wisdom and experience.

I worked with a young woman who was in an unhealthy relationship and was experiencing neglect from her parents. She really wanted to achieve NCEA Level 3 but was losing motivation and hope to carry on with school.

It took some time to build a relationship of trust with her. I would continually show up for her, and push through her resistance and lack of belief in herself. I would sit with her at school and help her work through her assignments.

It took a lot of perseverance, and re-building of relationships with her teachers to support her to get through. Eventually we developed an honest and open relationship with a hopeful orientation based on trust. She passed Level 3 and was so excited! She then aged out of our Youth Service, but during lockdown, was ready to leave the unhealthy relationship. Our service showed adaptability, in allowing me to continue to work with her beyond the age threshold. We spent a lot of time talking on zoom calls, until she eventually left this relationship, she is now doing so well, has a job, has a positive perspective on life, and is ever grateful for the support.

Read more

Trust indicators

You know you are building Trust when you:

  • Are up front about when you have to share information with others and why right from the beginning.
  • Don’t do things behind their back. Explain why you are sharing things.
  • Are consistent with everything you say and do to deliver in the way you said you would.
  • Are accountable to rangatahi and others, communicate what’s happening and when things change, and encourage others to do the same.
  • Rangatahi get let down a lot and it’s important to try and prevent that from happening by clearly communicating with everyone involved so that everyone knows if things change.
  • Acknowledge rangatahi trust by thanking them when they share.
  • In safety situations try to talk with rangatahi before sharing something so they know when the information is passed on.
  • Think about the rangatahi as your whānau member, you will do what you can to help them, especially if their safety is concerned. “I have to do what I can to do right by you.” That comes with a trusting relationship.

See the full set of PARTH Indicator Cards here

Trust reflection cards

This work by J. Sanders, R. Munford, J. Webster, J. Mercier, D. Abbott & L. Liebenberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 
This site was created as part of a research programme (MAUX2006) funded by MBIE. We thank them for their support.

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