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Call for nominations for My Home, My Choice Steering Group

The Call for Nominations the My Home My Choice Steering Group closed on Monday 26 June.

Find alternate formats of this webpage at the bottom of the page and you can download a word document version of this webpage. (DOCX 85KB) 

On this page

Introduction 

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People (Whaikaha) is committed to working in partnership with disabled people, Māori and Government to transform the disability support system in line with the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach.  

The My Home, My Choice work programme focuses on the work needed to change the way people in residential services are supported so they have more choice and control in their lives. This includes developing options and alternatives for people who are considering entry into or exit out of residential care. 

This means supporting disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori to live everyday lives in everyday places, and be seen as citizens with opportunities for learning, working, having somewhere to call home and fully participate in their community. 

Our Partnership Approach 

We will work in partnership with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, family and whānau, so changes are guided by their voices and experiences.  

The project team will include:  

  • senior members from Whaikaha. Amanda Bleckmann, Deputy Chief Executive Operational Design and Delivery is the project’s sponsor.  
  • renowned leaders Sir Robert Martin KNZM and Gary Williams MNZM. Both hold leadership positions as the project’s patrons. 
  • a steering group which includes disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, Pacific people, family / whānau and providers. The steering group is responsible for guiding the work.

Leadership and Governance 

My Home, My Choice will be guided by the experiences of people who have lived in residential support services and/or institutions. The project sponsor will determine the steering group membership in liaison with the patrons. The programme leads are Gordon Boxall and Kelly Woolston. 

We know that hearing the voices of the community is essential for the success of My Home, My Choice. The programme leads have engaged with representative networks on the design and format of the steering group and will seek their support to access and nominate people who will be most suitable to participate.

Regular liaison will continue including how steering group members are supported to undertake their role to best effect and to also amplify the voices and perspectives of their wider networks. 

My Home, My Choice is informed and guided by:  

  • the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)  
  • our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi 
  • the Enabling Good Lives principles external URL and approach
  • learnings and experiences shared at the Royal Commission of Inquiry - Abuse in Care
  • the Waitangi Tribunal report Wai 2575 – the Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry 
  • New Zealand Disability Strategy 
  • Te Aorerekura National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence (Whaikaha has responsibility for Action 28) 

The My Home, My Choice Programme Steering Group 

Whaikaha is setting up a steering group to oversee this important work. The steering group will inform the programme design, implementation and evaluation. Steering group members will bring their personal experience, leadership skills and subject matter knowledge to guide the actions and priorities of the programme team.  

This is a paid role. Any access needs such as meeting assistants or NZSL interpreters will be covered.

The steering group will include:  

  • A disabled leader with experience of residential services and a good understanding of what a good home and living situation would look like for them.  
  • A tāngata whaikaha Māori leader with knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, experience of residential care services and a good understanding of what a good home and living situation would look like for tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau. 
  • A leader from the Pacific disability community with experience of residential care and a good understanding of what a good home and living situation would look like for disabled pacific peoples and their families.  
  • A family and/or whānau leader with experience of residential care and a good understanding of what a good home and living situation would look like for them. 
  • A leader from an organisation that provides residential services with a proven track record of providing good homes and living situations for disabled people. 
  • A leader with expertise in implementing the Enabling Good Lives approach and enabling disabled people to have a good home and living situation.

Members will be selected to make sure the following values and experience is represented in the group:  

  • Commitment to the vision and principles of the Enabling Good Lives Commitment to equity 
  • Lived experience of residential services and/or institutions 
  • Experience monitoring and evaluating residential services from lived disability or whānau perspective 
  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori and the ability to translate this into new ways of working   
  • Good connections with a wider network of disabled people and/or families. 

It will be desirable for steering group members to have some of the following:  

  • Experience finding solutions that align with the priorities of: Pacific communities , Migrant and refugee communities.  
  • An understanding of LGBTQIA++ communities. 
  • A user of augmentative communication or an understanding of communication with people who are non-speaking. 
  • Experience creating alternatives to traditional residential services or demonstrated desire to work in different ways.  
  • An understanding of safeguarding with a view to supporting self- determination. 
  • An understanding of community development. 

How the selection process of Steering Group members will work:   

  • The submitted nominations will be reviewed 
  • The applicants will be shortlisted 
  • An interview will be organised for shortlisted applicants 
  • Steering group members will be selected and appointed. 

All applicants will be communicated with.  

How the steering group will work: 

The steering group will meet online monthly.  

The Terms of Reference for the steering group will be available at the first meeting. 

We ask members to set aside 4 hours per month for membership. Meetings will be 2 hours (including a short break), with an additional two hours between meetings for reading, meeting preparation and consultation with networks. Members may be asked for information and advice between meetings. 

Steering group meetings will be facilitated by the Programme Leads.  

How to apply for the My Home, My Choice Steering Group: 

You can apply by clicking on and filling in the My Home, My Choice Steering Group application form (DOCX 57KB) which will also set out other methods of submitting an application if you prefer.

Whichever way you choose, send your nominations to nominations@whaikaha.govt.nz. Also use that email if you have any questions. 

Nominations close at 9am on Monday 26 June 2023. 

The first meeting of the steering group will be in early July 2023. 

Nomination form alternate formats