Voices Of the Young and Care-Experienced

Young people have meaningful relationships and a sense of connection to people, place, culture and community.

Rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• experience a stronger sense of belonging and connection
• build meaningful relationships with peers, whānau, caregivers, and other supportive adults
• are connected to the supports and services they need
• have increased confidence in accessing support when required
• develop a stronger and more positive sense of identity, culture, and whakapapa
• feel accepted, valued, and included
• feel empowered to explore and strengthen their personal, cultural, and care identities
• experience connection with others who share lived experience of care

Young people experience care, respect, dignity, safety and upheld rights.

Rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• feel safe, respected, and valued within the systems that support them
• have trusted adults and supportive relationships they can rely on
• feel confident raising concerns, sharing their views, and seeking support
• trust that their voices will be heard and responded to appropriately
• understand and can access pathways for feedback, complaints, and advocacy
• experience greater stability in the key relationships and environments that support their wellbeing
• experience reduced vulnerability to adverse system involvement, including crisis, justice, and acute health services

Young people are heard, included and able to influence decisions about their lives.

Rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• understand their rights, choices, and entitlements
• know how to access support, advocacy, and opportunities available to them, including VOYCE
• actively participate in decisions that affect their lives
• feel confident expressing their views, needs, and aspirations
• know the different channels through which their voices can be heard and acted upon
• recognise the value of their lived experience and perspectives
• are confident and capable of self-advocacy, or know how to access advocacy support when needed
• demonstrate increased self-determination and autonomy
• make informed decisions about matters affecting their lives and futures

Young people are supported to build knowledge, confidence, goals and pathways for their future.

Rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• build the skills, knowledge, and capabilities needed to thrive
• develop leadership, participation, and decision-making skills
• have increased confidence to pursue their goals and aspirations
• can identify and access education, employment, and other future opportunities
• have greater optimism about their future and confidence in achieving their goals

Young people can access the things they need, including health, housing and income supports.

Rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• experience improved wellbeing and overall quality of life
• experience improved mental and emotional wellbeing
• are better able to access the resources and services they need, including health, housing, education, and income support
• have their holistic wellbeing needs recognised and supported
• experience improved outcomes across key areas of wellbeing

Collective voice and systems advocacy help improve the care system.

The voices of rangatahi and tamariki in care:

• are routinely sought, respected, and meaningfully incorporated into decision-making processes
• influence policies, practices, and services that affect the care community

System actors and stakeholders:

• demonstrate increased understanding of the experiences, needs, and aspirations of care-experienced young people
• proactively seek and use the perspectives of tamariki and rangatahi in care
• demonstrate increased capability to engage with and support care-experienced young people
• strengthen their commitment to participation, rights-based practice, and youth-centred decision making