Working with children with complex presentations: A New Zealand approach

This paper describes ongoing research and practice undertaken by Department of Child, Youth, and Family specialists and social workers working with two children described as having high and complex needs. The paper first describes characteristics (familial, historical, behavioural, cognitive) of each child and the previous diagnostic understandings formed about them. It then describes the theoretical models used and the programmes developed to address each child's individual complex needs. The interventions were conceptualised as multi-disciplinary and multi-systemic. An Action Research approach was used. This allowed constant adjustment of the intervention to account for developing understandings gained with regard to the theoretical constructs, as well as the ability to respond appropriately to the daily practical experience of the children and those involved with them.