One on one and group supervision

Clients: Whangarei Youth Space and I Have a Dream, Tikipunga, Whangarei

Kirsty provides 1- 1 and team professional supervision to fit with best practice, including the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA) and the Code of Ethics for youth workers. She is passionate about supporting youth workers in Northland and feels privileged to provide supervision to our amazing youth development sector.

Examples of issues Kirsty has supported the I Have a Dream Navigators and Whangarei Youth Space (WYS) Youth Workers with in group & 1 – 1 supervision include:

• Time management & prioritizing skills to manage a busy workload
• Building positive connections with young people
• Ethical issues working with rangatahi
• Team leadership & management
• Managing challenging behaviours with rangatahi
• Training workshops e.g. Youth Work 101, YDSA, Mentoring skills, strengths based practice
• Work-life balance & hauora:, Boundaries, self-care & physical & mental health
• Accountability & managing all the different requirements of the role
• Engaging with parents, whanau, community & teachers
• Reporting & administration and capturing feedback, data and evaluation
• Team dynamics and how to give feedback & communicate effectively
• Leadership skills development
• Reflective practice

 

National Training Facilitator

Client: New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network

Summary:

As National Training Facilitator, Kirsty develops and facilitates mentor and programme development training for diverse audiences. These include iwi groups in the Far North, public training groups in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and tailored programmes to meet specific organisational and regional priorities.

 Outcomes:

• Engaging and interactive training programmes built on experiential learning models and inclusive group processes
• Training programmes tailored to meet organisational and regional priorities
• Excellent feedback consistently received on Kirsty’s training and facilitation style – from CEO’s, programme staff, managers and mentors.

“Kirsty’s training style is fantastic – her well developed knowledge of mentoring and adult experiential training models and her extensive experience combine for great training delivery.” (Client)

“Kirsty’s knowledge on the subject and her training style were fantastic. She was easy to understand, and kept us all fully engaged throughout the two days. I have worked with many Trainers and Facilitators and she is one of the best there is in our sector” (Programme Founder and Co-Director).

Research and Rangatahi engagement

 Client: Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB)

 Summary:

In 2016, Kirsty was brought on board to work closely with IMSB staff to carry out research and rangatahi engagement focused on investigating the needs, challenges, and aspirations of Rangatahi living in Tamaki Makaurau.

Kirsty was adaptable and flexible and worked closely with the client to meet the project needs to a high standard.

Outcomes:

Two research reports produced for the IMSB Board:

• 2016: Rangatahi Insights Research: Report on the needs and aspirations of rangatahi in Tamaki Makaurau.
• 2016:   Rangatahi Insights (ii) Research: Report on resilience for Rangatahi: the protective role of te Reo, culture and identity.
• Kirsty worked closely with IMSB staff, rangatahi, local government representatives, academics, researchers, and youth development and community organisations to include important and diverse voices, information, and data.
• The use of qualitative data and rangatahi quotes within both reports supported rangatahi participation and voices and experiences to be heard.

Facilitation of strategic planning and governance for a not-for-profit community organization

Client: The CUBE

This session was set up as part of a programme of support offered by the ASB Community Trust to its high-engagement partners.

Summary:

Kirsty was brought in to work with the Board to refine the organization’s strategic plan and make progress towards establishing governance for their new collaborative entity. She worked efficiently with the client to determine objectives and tailored an interactive and engaging session with the Board to achieve them.

Outcomes:

• Refinement of organization strapline, vision, mission and strategic goals
• Board worked together cooperatively and maintained open and honest communication
• Shared understanding, agreement and progress to next steps towards governance for new entity
• “Really great discussion … we were able to talk and dissect” (Board member)
• “Helped us revisit where we want to be, rewarding, we achieved a lot in this session” (Board member)

“Kirsty’s facilitation is both skilled and inclusive, she is able to ensure each voice is heard and included in the model development. She is an excellent capacity support facilitator, easy to work with, professional and very skilled.” (Client)

 Community Development Project Lead

Client: McLaren Park and Henderson South Community Initiative (MPHS)

Summary:

MPHS required a Project Manager to step in and quickly get up to speed and lead their new community development initiative. In a short space of time, Kirsty carried out community consultation, Ministry of Education liaison, and promotion for their new community playgroup. She worked closely with the Ministry of Education to develop policy and curriculum and completed all funding applications and requirements.

Outcomes:

• Community playgroup opened to 15 children and their families on the first day
• All objectives met to high standards within tight timeframes
• Ministry of Education requirements met with no challenges or surprises
• Funding granted within short space of time
• Parent volunteers recruited with support systems in place

“Kirsty has been a great asset to our organisation… She demonstrated an ability to hit the ground running… she is a great do-er who meets the brief within budget and timeframes to a high standard.” (Client)

Annual Evaluation Review Report

Client: YWCA

Summary:

The YWCA engaged Kirsty to carry out research and reporting for their Future Leaders Programme Annual Evaluation Review. Kirsty worked closely with the client to determine the key results, highlights, and areas for improvement they wanted to see analysed and included in the report.

Outcomes:

• Comprehensive research report completed within a short timeframe to meet clients funder reporting requirements
• High quality report highlighting key quantitative and qualitative findings
• Recommendations for programme improvements made with clear and realistic next steps provided

“Kirsty’s professional manner, knowledge of the not-for-profit and youth sector coupled with attention to detail made a positive impact on our organization and we would definitely contract Kirsty again” (Client)