New children’s home to open in Opawa

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 6

New children’s home to open in Opawa

A new type of welfare home for children “at risk”' of long-term institutional life, will open in Opawa on Monday. The home, run by the Social Welfare Department, will cater for up to 10 children aged between eight and 13. The principal of the new home, Mr John Dunlop, said yesterday it would act as a "half-way house” between an institution and a family home. ■■ With a staff of nine (six social workers, a teacher, a cook, and the principal) it would be similar to an institution. but the children. would have more to do with the surrounding community. Mr Dunlop- described the

children as often being diffi- \ cult or pre-delinquent, their parents having voluntarily given the department guardi- < anship. , ' - Most were “well, behind” at school and often skipped school. :■ .•• :: . .: • 1 While staying - at the home, | the children would attend normal schools and the .; home’s teacher would give < “intensive help” with remedial work. i "’. Swimming' or organised ’ sport would not be catered I for — the children would be i encouraged to go into the i community and take part in those activities with other I children. ' ( Open days will. be held I today and tomorrow 'at < the home, which is on < the corner of Ensors Road I

and . Fifield Terrace, for neighbours to learn what will happen there, and to encourage the . community ..interest; Five such homes are planned by the department but the Opawa home will E-' bly be the only South home. Children from as far away as Blenheim and Oamaru will stay there.-/: ... Parents will be able to stay a week-end in the home with their children to see how it is run. Children should then see their parents once a month, said Mr Dunlop. . Only five children will be taken into the home on Monday. The average stay will be one year and Mr Dunlop does not want all the children arriving and leaving at the same time.