Referral Criteria

1. Family/whanau lives in the Christchurch area
2. Family/whanau is willing to participate
3. Mother is pregnant or has an infant – referrals accepted for young mothers 24 years and under from 3 months antenatal to 9 months postnatal and for all other mothers over 24 years from 6 months antenatal to 9 months postnatal
4. Parent faces two or more of the following challenges:
   • Young mother under 18 years of age
   • Limited support networks
   • Minimal antenatal care
   • Economic disadvantage and/or lack of essential resources
   • Social skills minimal and/or inadequate
   • Little or no formal educational qualifications
   • Limited experience or skills in parenting
   • Past Child Youth and Family involvement
   • Mental Health issues / depression, anxiety etc.
   • Addictions: drug, alcohol, gambling
   • Involvement with the criminal justice system
   • Difficult family/whanau relationships – history of abuse
   • Relationship problems
   • Moved at least twice in the last 12 months
   • Additional baby needs: baby was premature, low birth weight, special needs