This document is one of a set of six background documents that address the policy and practice context within which services are delivered to youth in New Zealand. Together the documents cover the areas of youth justice, care and
protection, mental health, health and disability and educational services that are additional to mainstream schooling. A final document examines the policy and practice context around youth transition services. These documents provide
background information for a youth research programme that focuses upon the needs and issues confronted by vulnerable youth with complex needs; the Pathways to Resilience project and the Youth Transitions Study. The Pathways
to Resilience project examines the role of services and youth resilience in good outcomes for youth exposed to risk, and the Youth Transitions study explores the ways in which youth with complex needs navigate a pathway to young adulthood
with a specific focus on engagement in education, transitions to employment and identity formation processes through this period of emerging adulthood. The current paper outlines legislation, policies and programmes concerned with delivering care and protection services to vulnerable children and youth in
New Zealand. It includes ser vices delivered by the statutory care and protection agency, Child Youth and Family Services as well as services delivered by Nongovernmental
organisations (NGO) across the country. (From the Introduction). Follow the website link for all other publications and resources related to these projects. Record #5374