Help shape the whānau workforce strategy and action plan

We invite you to help shape the future of the Whānau Workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The development of a co-designed whānau workforce strategy and action plan for the mental health and addiction sector is underway, and Te Pou is seeking input from people working in whānau-focused roles and services.

We want to hear from those whose work centres on supporting, advocating for, and strengthening whānau, as well as whānau with lived experience. Perspectives from providers, leaders, and organisations that support this workforce are also welcome.

The whānau workforce plays an important role in supporting whānau wellbeing, strengthening whānau capability, advocating for whānau voices, and contributing to service and system improvement. This project will identify priorities for the future development, sustainability, leadership, recognition, and growth of the workforce.

Applications close Wednesday 30 September.

• The current state of the whānau workforce.
• Workforce vision, purpose and guiding principles.
• Workforce capability, development, and leadership.
• Recruitment, retention, and workforce sustainability.
• Future workforce needs and opportunities.
• Priority actions to strengthen and grow the workforce overtime.

We welcome applications from people across the mental health and addiction sector, including:

• Whānau community support workers.
• Whānau peer support workers.
• Whānau advisors.
• Whānau with lived experience of engaging with mental health and/or addiction services.
• Mental health and addiction practitioners, leaders, and managers.
• Māori mental health and addiction providers.
• Pacific mental health and addiction providers.
• Workforce development and training organisations.
• Commissioners, funders, and policy leaders.

There will be opportunities to contribute through surveys, interviews, focus groups, hui, wānanga, and workshops. Your experiences, insights, and aspirations will help inform the development of the strategy and action plan.

This kaupapa will be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a whānau-centred approach, with collaboration and partnership at the heart of the process.

We encourage you to get involved if you would like to share your experiences and insights during this project and contribute to the development of the strategy and action plan.

Together, we can help create a stronger, sustainable, and whānau-centred workforce that supports better outcomes for whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.