Wellington programme shows intensive support helps foster caregivers stay stable

What is the background?

Foster and whānau caregivers often take on children with complex needs while receiving comparatively little structured support themselves, which can affect both their wellbeing and how stable the placement is for the child. Foster caregiver support Wellington programmes like Te Waka Kotahi aim to address that gap directly.

What happened?

Wesley Community Action, based in Wellington, launched Te Waka Kotahi: Intensive Caregivers Support in September 2024, funded by Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children). A recent evaluation of the programme found caregivers reported genuine improvements to their own wellbeing and to their ability to provide stable, consistent care for the children in their homes.

Nationally, Oranga Tamariki supports around 1,580 whānau caregivers and 925 non-whānau caregivers. All approved caregivers receive a foster care allowance, a four-weekly clothing allowance, a small cost payment, pocket money, and birthday and Christmas allowances for each child, alongside reimbursement for pre-approved health, education, and recreation costs. New caregivers may also qualify for a $350 set-up grant.

How did it happen?

Te Waka Kotahi’s model is described as “intensive,” distinguishing it from standard caregiver support by providing more concentrated, ongoing engagement rather than occasional check-ins — the kind of support that can catch a caregiver’s stress or a placement’s instability early, before it escalates into a disrupted placement.

Financial support through the standard caregiver allowance system runs alongside the intensive support programme rather than replacing it: caregivers get both the baseline financial assistance every approved caregiver receives, and targeted wellbeing support from Wesley Community Action specifically.

Why does it matter?

Caregiver wellbeing and placement stability are directly linked — a caregiver who is supported and coping well is more likely to provide the consistent environment a child in care needs. An evaluation confirming genuine wellbeing improvements, rather than just programme participation numbers, gives Oranga Tamariki real evidence that the intensive support model is achieving its intended outcome, not just delivering more contact hours.

With roughly 2,500 caregivers supporting children in care nationally, a programme proven to work in Wellington offers a template Oranga Tamariki and other providers could look to extend elsewhere.

What were the key results?

• Te Waka Kotahi: Intensive Caregivers Support launched September 2024 by Wesley Community Action
• Programme funded by Oranga Tamariki, based in Wellington
• Evaluation found caregivers reported improved wellbeing and care stability
• Oranga Tamariki supports approximately 1,580 whānau caregivers nationally
• A further 925 non-whānau caregivers also supported nationally
• Standard support includes allowance, clothing, pocket money, and holiday payments per child
• New caregivers may qualify for a $350 set-up grant

What happens next?

Wesley Community Action plans to continue running Te Waka Kotahi based on the positive evaluation findings.

Oranga Tamariki is expected to consider whether the intensive support model should extend to other regions.

Caring Families Aotearoa and other support organisations are expected to continue advocating for caregiver wellbeing resourcing nationally.

Oranga Tamariki said it will keep tracking placement stability data as intensive support programmes like Te Waka Kotahi mature.