Lower North Regional Hui speakers

Guest Speakers

Occupational Therapist Anna Baker

Anna is a New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience working with infants, children and young people who have experienced injury, illness, trauma, maltreatment and neglect. She works with Oranga Tamariki, ACC, Ministry of Education as well as privately. Anna is experienced worki...
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GM Caregiver Recruitment and Support Janet Smart

Janet is responsible for all caregiver recruitment and support activities in Oranga Tamariki. This includes working together with NGOs and caregiver advocacy groups such as Fostering Kids. We share a common goal of improving the numbers of available caregivers, and improving the way we support and develop them, to ...
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Regional Disability Advisor Rose Hawkins
**Oranga Tamariki**

Rose is the Regional Disability advisor for Oranga Tamariki for Auckland South, Central and North West Regions, and for Te Tai Tokerau.

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Occupational Therapist Anna Baker

Anna is a New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience working with infants, children and young people who have experienced injury, illness, trauma, maltreatment and neglect. She works with Oranga Tamariki, ACC, Ministry of Education as well as privately. Anna is experienced working with a wide variety of individuals, their family, caregivers, social service and education providers.

Her special area of interest is working with infants, children and young people who are experiencing sensory difficulties and developmental delay behavioural challenges following maltreatment, many of whom are in the foster care system. She understand how rewarding yet demanding it can be to work with children following abuse and neglect because she is a foster parent too.

GM Caregiver Recruitment and Support Janet Smart

Janet is responsible for all caregiver recruitment and support activities in Oranga Tamariki. This includes working together with NGOs and caregiver advocacy groups such as Fostering Kids. We share a common goal of improving the numbers of available caregivers, and improving the way we support and develop them, to care for Tamariki. She feels very privileged to have this opportunity.

Originally from Dargaville – and raised on a dairy farm, she trained as a nurse and midwife before diversifying into business studies and various management roles in the public (DHB) and private sector. Prior to Oranga Tamariki was in service development and marketing in the health sector.

She is supported by her husband, three sons and five grandchildren.

Regional Disability Advisor Rose Hawkins

Oranga Tamariki

Rose is the Regional Disability advisor for Oranga Tamariki for Auckland South, Central and North West Regions, and for Te Tai Tokerau.

With the high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in children in care and youth justice, she is involved with highlighting FASD and developing resources to support children and young people with these invisible impairments. She is aware that, with more widespread FASD- informed support across sectors, children can succeed better at home and in education, and lead more productive lives. Rose's background is in the health/disability sector and as a foster carer and mediator.