Intervention plan to save at-risk young

Paula Bennett says the Shine personnel will intervene wherever parents show an inability to protect their children. Photo / Steven McNicholl

They are the "most precious" people yet the most vulnerable and it is hoped a "low-key" intervention will protect Auckland's under-2s from domestic violence.

The First Response pilot, announced yesterday by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, will involve advocates from Shine, the country's largest agency dealing with domestic violence, visiting families with young children after a violent act has taken place in their household.

Many events are low level and do not require Child, Youth and Family involvement but are precursors to child abuse.

The scheme, which involves police alerting Shine when an incident has taken place, will have advocates working with the victim of abuse and completing a risk assessment, which involves profiling the abuser.

Factors such as whether the person is on drugs or consumes alcohol or whether they have gang connections are taken into account.

Shine's Jill Proudfoot said the agency protects its social workers by working with the police to determine whether the person is likely to abuse strangers.

"But for the majority of offenders, violence is targeted at one person. When we call they can be very charming."

Their home is assessed and changes may be made, such as installing smoke alarms where there is a threat of arson, replacing glass doors with solid ones containing a peep-hole, trimming trees around the property so an offender can't hide in them, and putting up stronger fences and gates around the house so it is difficult for someone to enter.

The pilot, being tried in Grey Lynn, Panmure and Onehunga, where domestic violence has taken place, will run until next June and serve 500 children aged under 2, Ms Proudfoot said.

Ms Bennett said a non-government organisation entering a home would be less intimidating.

"It's a small step but it can make a difference in the lives of our children ... If people can't protect their own children, we will."

She said the programme was a response to some "appalling statistics".

There were more than 49,000 reports of family violence to Child, Youth and Family last year and 3456 cases of abuse against children under 2. Seventy-five babies were admitted to hospital as a result of abuse - one every five days.

"Quite frankly, something has to be done," the minister said.

Auckland district police commander George Fraser praised the programme and said it brought together family, community and neighbourhood.