CSS in schools
Catholic Social Services
February 2014
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae said in his New Year message: ‘The care we provide to our most vulnerable citizens – our
children – is a barometer of the wellbeing of our families and our society.’
CSS social workers are constantly reminded while working in schools that children are indeed among those most susceptible to the outcome of adults’ decisions. Often we were able to meet parents and discuss their many good decisions. The impact of these decisions can often be longlasting.
In the past year we have supported children who are working through a variety of difficulties.
Such issues include:
- learning how to express anger safely
- being a victim or perpetrator of bullying (including cyber and text-bullying)
- having low self-esteem
- engaging in deliberate self-harm
- experiencing suicidal feelings
- parental separation/divorce
- family violence (either as victim or witness)
- family poverty (low-paid workers as well as those receiving a Work & Income benefit)
- having a parent/caregiver with addictive behaviours
- exposure to other forms of violence, for example, electronic games and movies
- lack of parental knowledge regarding children’s access to the Internet and various social media programmes
- having a parent/caregiver with a mental health diagnosis.
Despite such issues, the team have been heartened to hear the children express ways we have been able to support them.
- ‘I’d like to thank you for the time you’ve listened to me when no-one else did’ (13-year-old),
- ‘Thank you for helping me with my anger; you have given me some good ideas to work through’ (10–year-old),
- ‘Thank you for helping me feel better about missing my dad’ (9-year-old).
And the illustration drawn by a 9-year-old speaks a thousand words.
We would like to thank the principals and staff of the schools we have visited; we have always been made to feel welcome, and a valued part of the school team.