Developing citizens: missed opportunities in health and social service provision? A view from Aotearoa New Zealand

Brannelly, Tula, Boulton, Amohia and Wilson, Stacey (2013) Developing citizens: missed opportunities in health and social service provision? A view from Aotearoa New Zealand. Child & Youth Services, 34 (3), 218-235. (doi:10.1080/0145935X.2013.825545).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This article is a reflection on an evaluation of multisystemic therapy services in Aotearoa New Zealand, established to treat young people aged 12–16, for alcohol and drug misuse and to decrease unwanted or “antisocial” behaviors. The therapy engaged parents/caregivers in a systems approach and did not require the young person to be directly engaged. This raised three issues. First, because the young people were not active participants, the services missed the opportunity to help the young people develop skills of self management. Second, this lack of engagement created a missed opportunity to engage the young person to re-establish or reconnect relationships that had been harmed. Finally, we reflect on the cultural fit of the service with M?ori values. These issues raise a number of questions about the aims of service provision with young people and the assumptions that underpin particular types of service.

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