Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development & Employment and Youth Affairs
19 August 2011
All seven Supported Teen Parent Homes now open
The Minister of Social Development officially opened the first Supported Teen Parent Home in Gisborne today, the last of
seven to open around the country
“We said we’d open seven supported homes for teen parents and it’s fantastic to celebrate this milestone with Te Aka Ora
House,” says Ms Bennett.
“Since the beginning of this year, we have opened supported houses in Auckland, Manukau, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hastings
and Whangarei,” says Ms Bennett.
“The National-led Government is placing a real priority on vulnerable teen parents, to ensure they get the right
support,” says Ms Bennett.
“We’ve put fifteen million dollars into teen parents, the biggest investment in teen parent services ever, because we
think it’s vital,” says Ms Bennett.
Supported homes for teen parents provide around the clock supervision with trained staff, social workers, support
workers and volunteers.
Teen parents receive parenting, budgeting and life skills as well as help to make plans for their future in education or
work.
“Already 45 young mums and their babies have gained a haven with supportive adults on hand 24 hours a day, every day,”
says Ms Bennett.
“The idea is to ensure these young parents are equipped to be independent, good parents and the support continues once
they leave the home to ensure they get off to the right start,” says Ms Bennett.
Other teen parent initiatives include:
• Extra social workers in hospitals
• Extra teen parent intensive case managers
• Parenting support for teen dads
The key goals for the teen supported homes are to:
• provide a safe and stable living environment for vulnerable teen parents and their babies
• ensure early attachment and bonding is formed in a supported way
• ensure health, education, economic wellbeing and parenting skills are addressed so teen parents can successfully
transition to independent living
• reduce the likelihood of further unplanned teen pregnancies
The houses are for young people who are unable to be supported by their parents and who lack resources to find a
suitable and stable place to live.
“With the support of the house parents, the whole Te Aka Ora family, plus the local community, this will be a safe home
where we can strengthen Tairawhiti’s most vulnerable young mothers and their children,” says Ms Bennett.
ENDS