Paul Deacon

Paul Deacon – team leader, residential homes – Royal Oak

What does your job involve?
My job’s to manage the two specialist residential homes in Auckland for young people referred by CYF (Child, Youth and Family) who are a risk to themselves and the community. I manage the staff, infrastructure and the day to day operation of the homes in accordance with Barnardos and CYF.

How long have you been working at Barnardos?
I’ve been working for Barnardos for seven and a half years now and I’ve been based in Auckland throughout this time, working with young people at risk.

How and why did you end up working for Barnardos?
I’ve worked in the social services sector for the last 16 years in New Zealand. I’m originally from the UK, where I spent ten years in the merchant navy as a deck officer and eleven years in the prison service, so I’ve been working in a welfare capacity for a long time. I’ve been in New Zealand since 1995, where I’ve always worked with challenging, at risk young people.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The hardest part of my job would probably be trying to maintain a quality service for young people and the community in a competitive environment. On a day to day basis, it’d be trying to juggle the needs and wants of clients and staff adequately.

What is it about Barnardos that you like?
I like that Barnardos compared to previous employers is a smaller organisation and that the higher management are easily approachable and good listeners. Barnardos has provided me with great support and management at all levels to cope with some demanding work.

What is the best part of your job?
I really enjoy working with young people, some who present quite a challenge to manage. There are regular and sometimes unique problems and challenges to solve so never a dull moment.

What do you hope to achieve at Barnardos in the future?
I’d hope through working with so many young people over the years I’ve contributed significantly towards a positive change for most so that they mature safely and become a positive asset to their children, their partners and society.