Barnardos | Family Advice

Resources

Current information sheets

Barnardos NZ produces information sheets on a range of issues affecting families. Click on a title to download PDF. For details email: information@barnardos.org.nz. To order printed information sheets, complete the order form.

Understanding your Children

47. Mental health of children and young people (revised December 2005)
Written for parents and caregivers of children and young people with mental health issues.
56. Understanding children's play (July 2007)
Explains the importance of play in child development. Provides handy tips on how to encourage creativity and choosing toys

Parenting

30. Raising someone else's child (revised April 2007)
Information on legal matters, financial help and support available for those bringing up a child who is not their own.
31. Guiding your child's behaviour (revised December 2005)
Gives advice on effective ways to guide your child's behaviour.
38. Parenting in the digital age (revised December 2005)
Outlines potential risks of computer and mobile phone use, and provides parenting tips to safeguard children.
39. Preparing your child for contact visits
Looks at preparing a child for contact visits, what to do if arrangements are not working or if your child refuses to go.
40. Helping your child cope with separation (revised December 2005)
Provides strategies to help children cope, activities for children and the needs of children at different ages.
46. Being drug aware - a guide for parents (revised December 2005) Informs parents and caregivers of the signs, symptoms, and effects of illegal drug use on children and young people, provides strategies for parents and caregivers.
49. Becoming a parent (revised February 2008)
Covers practical, fi nancial and social assistance available to first time parents.
51. Parenting preschoolers (revised December 2005)
A guide for parents of children aged 3 to 5 on routines, toilet training, eating, sleeping, discipline, communication, tips for parents and lists support agencies.
52. Parenting primary school children (revised January 2006)
Outlines the child's developmental trends during these years and provides guidance for the parent
53. Parenting teens (revised January 2006)
Outlines the key issues in adolescence and provides guidance for the parent.
54. Being Dad (issued August 2006)
Discusses the importance of fathers for children and provides tips on being an effective father.
58. Being alcohol aware - the facts (issued August 2007)
Provides an outline of the basic facts about alcohol for parents of teenagers.
59. Being alcohol aware - parenting issues (issued August 2007)
Discusses the parenting issues. It offers little direct advice, but is looking more at factors to consider.
61. Child discipline and the law (issued August 2007)
Provides parents with information on the new law relating to parental control and what it means in practical terms.
62. Being Mum (issued October 2007)
Complements the earlier sheet. Being Dad (no. 37) by discussing several issues relating to being a mother.
68. Sibling rivalry (issued December 2008)
This information sheet is intended to assist parents in understanding what sibling rivalry is and how to manage it.
69. Children and family crisis (issued April 2009)
This information sheet identifi es some of the major issues that parents will need to deal with when coping with a family crisis and provides information on how to do so.
70.Families and emergencies (issued June 2009)
As a parent there are a number of simple things that you can do to better prepare your children to cope with an emergency. This information sheet discusses some of them.
71. Promoting resilience in your child (issued June 2009)
Some children are more able to cope with adversities than others. It is known as resilience. This sheet discusses the factors playing a role in building resilience. It also provides tips for parents on promoting resilience in their child.

Going to School

9. Early childhood services and schools
(revised December 2005)
Explains where to start if you have a problem with an early childhood service or school.
13. Early childhood services
(revised December 2005)
Outlines the range of services available, government standards and how to choose the best service.
15. Children at school (April 2007)
A parents' guide for children enrolling or attending school, help with school costs and some legal issues.
42. Cyberbullying (revised January 2006)
Covers the different ways in which cellphones, the Internet and email are used to bully, what's special about cyberbullying and specific actions parents can take to protect their children.
50. Dealing with bullying (revised January 2008)
Provides information and practical tips for parents and caregivers whose children are being bullied or bullying others.

Family Life

14. Babysitting
(updated March 2010)
Tips on finding a babysitter and how to make sure babysitting is safe for children, parents and babysitters.
20. Children at risk (revised January 2006)
General information and a basic summary of the law relating to children and young people
21. Arrangements for the care of children (revised January 2006)
General information on day-to-day care and contact arrangements and a basic summary of the law.
22. Dealing with domestic violence (revised January 2006)
Provides general information about domestic violence, protection orders and a basic summary of the law.
23. Family Group Conferences (revised January 2006)
A general guide to Family Group Conferences and a basic summary of the law.
25. When families break up (revised April 2007)
Outlines some of the issues that may need to be addressed and identifi es sources of fi nancial and practical help available.
26. Marriage and de facto relationships (revised January 2006)
Basic guidance on how marital status and de facto relationships affect benefi ts, property matters, child support and immigration
33. Blended families (revised December 2005)
Covers legal and fi nancial issues and tips for building and sustaining successful relationships.
41. Suspect child abuse or neglect? (revised December 2005)
Covers the different types of abuse and neglect and provides a list of signs to look out for. Explains what to do if you do suspect child abuse.
44. Disability in the family (revised April 2007)
Support available to families with a family member with a physical, intellectual or mental disability
45. Coping with change, loss and grief (revised December 2005)
Aims to provide practical information and advice to families and whaenau of children and young people who are working through change, loss and grief.
55. Birthdays, funerals and weddings: celebrating special times (issued August 2006)
Special events are a vital part of family life and a key part of child development.
57. Balancing work and family (issued January 2007)
Discusses how to do something about achieving an improved balance between work and family. Written specifi cally for the family group with children
60. Family meals and good food (issued August 2007)
Discusses the importance of the family meal and good healthy food habits for children
63. Listening to your children (issued November 2007)
Listening to your children is a critical element of effective parenting. This information sheet provides some practical tips.
64. Family tasks for children (issued February 2008)
Discusses the importance for a child's development of participating in family life by sharing in the chores.
65. Working children (issued July 2008)
The law provides few protections for children under the age of 15 years who work. This information sheet discusses some issues to be considered when children work.
66. Children and pets (issued August 2008)
Pets are great for children. But there is more to it than just picking up a puppy or kitten. This information sheet talks about some of the benefits and responsibilities that come with owning a pet.
67. Children, computers and TV (issued December 2008)
Discusses the impact of the use of television and computer from the parents' perspective.

Family Matters

3. Challenging decisions: Work and Income A service of MSD
(Updated December 2008)
Explains where to start when you are dealing with Work and Income and how to seek a review of a decision.
4. Department of Inland Revenue
(revised December 2005)
Outlines how to make a complaint or get a decision reviewed by the Department of Inland Revenue.
5. Discrimination
(revised December 2008)
A guide on how to proceed if you feel you or your family have been discriminated against.
6. Privacy
(revised December 2005)
Provides information on how to respond if you believe personal information about you may have been misused, held in storage and you have been refused permission to see it, or is incorrect and you have not been able to have it corrected.
7. Immigration
(revised January 2006)
Provides basic information on the Residence Appeal Authority and Removal Appeal Authority.
8. Government organisations
(revised December 2008)
A guide for those having problems with a government department, regional or local body.
10. Child, Youth and Family
(revised December 2005)
Outlines the services Child, Youth and Family provide and also how to get a decision reviewed or make a complaint.
11. Childcare subsidy
(updated March 2010)
Eligibility criteria, rates and how to apply for the childcare subsidy.
12. OSCAR subsidy
(updated March 2010)
Guide to the subsidy, outlines eligibility criteria, rates and how to apply.
16. Accommodation supplement
Withdrawn.
17. Help with health care costs (updated March 2010)
Outlines help that may be available to help cover the costs of health care.
18. Health care costs: what you pay (revised December 2005)
Standard health care costs and what health care is free.
19. Child health services (revised December 2005)
Provides some basic information on primary health services for children in New Zealand.
24. Youth justice (revised January 2006)
Explains what youth justice means for young people involved with the Police and courts. Provides general information and a basic summary of the law.
27. Paternity (revised April 2007)
A guide for mothers about paternity, establishing paternity and how it affects benefit entitlements and child support.
28. Teen mums (revised April 2007)
Provides information for young mothers including personal and practical support available.
29. Young people living alone (Updated March 2010)
A basic outline of a young person's rights when they leave home, how they might support themselves and benefi ts available.
32. Guardianship (revised December 2005)
Gives information on guardianship and a basic summary of the law.
34. Income support payments (updated March 2010)
A wall chart and information sheet providing information on benefi t rates for single people, couples, one and two parent families.
35. Health services (revised December 2005)
Explains where to start when you have a problem with a health or disability service or provider.
36. Work and Income over-payments (revised December 2005)
Sets out the circumstances when a provisional write-off can be requested and provides a sample letter and guidance on applying for a debt to be cancelled.
37. Teen dads (revised April 2007)
Outlines help for a teenager about to become a dad. Covers fi nancial and personal assistance, issues such as child support, education options and personal support.
43. Finding family accommodation (revised December 2005)
Emergency housing, short term options, renting and buying options, financial assistance and lists agencies that can help.
48. Managing your money (revised January 2006)
This information sheet offers tips to better manage your money and outlines how to prepare a budget. Includes a budget worksheet.