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Three Dannevirke area schools are soon to get the services of a dedicated social worker.
The three schools in the local cluster are among 71 schools joining the Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) programme from July as part of the expansion of the scheme announced in Budget 2004.
Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer says the announcement will be good news for the roughly 470 students attending Hillcrest School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua, and Norsewood School.
SWiS is an early intervention and prevention programme for primary and intermediate children and their families in low decile schools.
Local social service providers employ social workers to be part of a support team which can include public health nurses, truancy officers, and teachers who work with children experiencing learning and behaviour problems.
"Learning well at school is difficult if you're facing family and social problems," said Georgina Beyer . "So Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Education developed SWiS to deliver early help to prevent problems becoming more serious."
The MP says the programme is paying dividends in schools where it is already in place.
"Teachers are finding playground disputes are on the wane and previously disruptive or withdrawn students get renewed interest in learning and socialising.
"It's not just the schools and students who do well, but also the families of the students and the surrounding communities."
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