Social Work Support for Young Parents
One-to-one social work support for young parents in Ōtautahi Christchurch, built around your own goals, strengths and pace.
Someone in your corner
Waipuna Young Parents Service offers warm, practical and strengths-based social work support for young parents as they build safe, nurturing and hopeful futures for themselves and their tamariki. We recognise that young parents have their own hopes, priorities and goals, from having a warm and stable home and enough income to live on, to building confidence, nurturing relationships, accessing education or employment, and feeling supported in their parenting journey.
Our social workers take time to get to know each young parent and understand what matters to them. Support is shaped around the needs, goals and pace of each young person and their whānau, and may include advocacy, goal planning, practical problem-solving, parenting support, help to access services, and support to take the next steps towards wellbeing, connection and independence.
What support can include
Support is shaped around each young parent’s own goals, priorities and pace.
One-to-one support
Advocacy, goal planning and practical problem-solving focused on your own goals and priorities.
Parenting and connection
Support to strengthen parenting confidence, routines and connection with your tamariki.
Practical help
Advocacy and practical help with housing, income, health, education, employment and community services.
Confidence and community
Support to build confidence, wellbeing and social connection, with links to group programmes where these are a good fit.
How long is support provided, and who can refer?
Social work support is usually provided for up to one year. During this time, the social worker and young parent work together on goals that are meaningful and achievable, regularly reflecting on what is working well, what has changed, and what further support might be helpful.
Young parents can self-refer, and referrals are also welcome from whānau, schools, health professionals, community organisations and social service agencies. We ask that the young person knows about the referral and is open to being contacted, as our work is based on trust, choice and partnership.
For young parents, it’s a chance to have someone in your corner, someone who will listen, work alongside you, help you navigate challenges, recognise your strengths and support you as you create the future you want for yourself and your whānau.
A ministerial visit to our Young Parents Service
In May 2026, Minister for Children Karen Chhour visited Waipuna Youth Services to see our Young Parents Service in action and hear directly from young parents and kaimahi about the difference wraparound social work support makes.
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