Special Needs Treatment Programmes

SAFE provides specialist programmes for adults and young people with special learning needs or intellectual disability. Referrals to this part of our programme may be made via the Courts under the IDCC&R Act, RIDCA, Department of Corrections, CYFS, health professional, or family.

Programme Overview

After an initial assessment, the client joins the programme and is appointed an individual therapist. During the next 12-24 months, clients are part of an individualised programme which may include individual and group therapy as appropriate. While the therapeutic content for clients in this part of our programme is similar to that covered in SAFE's other programmes, the style of delivery and information is specifically tailored to the abilities of the clients involved.

The focus is on learning new behaviours and attitudes as well as addressing the underlying emotional, psychological and behavioural causes of the abusing behaviour. A strengths-based approach is taken, modelled on the work of recognised clinicians in the field such as Jim Haaven in the US, and the "Good Way/Bad Way" model developed by the WellStop Programme in Wellington.

Sometimes SAFE's only involvement with clients in our special needs programmes is to provide training and advice to families and caregivers about the safe management and supervision of the client.

Clients in the youth special needs programme may also attend short wilderness-based camps of 1-3 days. The outdoor activities help the young person to develop the confidence and the self-esteem that they need to make changes and to overcome their problems.

About once every three months, all those involved in the treatment and care of the client will meet to review their progress and to set goals for the next three months.

Key Outcomes

The key outcomes SAFE expects clients to achieve from the programme are:

• To commit no further offences of any kind
• To accept full responsibility for their offending
• To be accepted as a safe, responsible member of their family
• To live a safe and healthy lifestyle

Copyright © 2008, SAFE Network Incorporated (an Incorporated Society)
PO Box 8726, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone 09 377 9898 • Fax 09 377 9229 • email  info@safenz.org