With its own school, tennis court, vegetable garden, commercial kitchen, nurses and indoor gym, for just eight residents, Puketai Care and Protection Residence may appear to be an elite hostel, but it is much more than that.
For the past 21 years, the Child Youth and Family facility, based in Andersons Bay, has been helping young people aged 8 to 16 put their lives back on track, and get themselves back into the community.
Social worker Colin Gale has worked there for about seven of those years, and left work each day with a "neat feeling of achievement".
"They are all good kids - they are not problem kids; they are kids who have come with problems," he said.
For them to make it to Puketai, there had to be "no other option" for them.
Largely, they did not have the ability to control themselves so lashed out with violence, or verbal abuse. They might run away often, have alcohol or drug issues, difficult health problems, or be involved in criminal activity.
Puketai was one of seven care and protection residences in New Zealand, and one of only two in the South Island.
While it was largely occupied by youth from Otago and Southland, those from further afield could also be sent there.
Historically, people thought care and protection residences were where the State "put bad kids".
But he believed they were places for them to get their "problems sorted" and get back to their lives.
"It's not a normal environment to bring kids into; it's not normal to lock a kid up. Pretty much everything we do here is aimed at getting them back to the community."
Puketai staff included social workers, youth workers, case leaders, teachers, nurses, and a clinical team.
They worked split shifts to staff the facility 24hours a day, and took a multi-disciplinary approach to their residents.
"It's a team approach. It's about learning on the job all the time. I love the constant learning," he said.
Each youth entered the facility with a "permanency goal" in mind, that could be returning home, finding a long-term placement, or moving to a group home, and were "constantly assessed" during their average three- to four-month stay.
They were not allowed to leave the residence until everything was in place for them on the outside, such as being enrolled in school and having a permanent place to stay.
Mr Gale described Puketai as a "self-contained world".
The residents attended the on-site school, Kingslea, which was spread over four sites in Dunedin, Christchurch and Rotorua, and was linked into the national curriculum.
Two teachers took the pupils for a normal school day.
"It's quite intense . . . but that's what they need to get them up to level," he said.
The residents had nurses on-site to co-ordinate their health care from dentistry to hearing and vision, and were engaged in their own healthy-eating, healthy-action programme.
All their meals were prepared for them, though they could participate as well to learn their way around the kitchen.
The residents were split into two sleeping wings, one for girls and one for boys, had a recreation room full of games, and could also make use of a time-out room. A point system earned them rights to use a "privilege room" which had a television, instruments, and a gaming console.
"Teenagers love to have their own space," Mr Gale said.
They spent a lot of time off-site going for walks, to the beach, or to Moana Pool, and had a garden, basketball court and tennis court on the grounds.
"It's about teaching the kids about normal things."
The residential complex was set out "to mimic the family home and foster home environments" and make it feel less institutional.
It also contained a separate flat where families or potential caregivers could stay and spend time with the youth.
Mr Gale was pleased National Social Workers' Day existed because it was a great way for people to learn more about his profession and those he helped.
"They all think it's a really hard job, but it's not. It's only a hard job if you're not the right person for it," he said.
He became a social worker in his 30s after years in the security industry.
"I reached the point that I thought to myself 'I really don't want to be doing this'."
After studying at the University of Otago, he was employed by Child Youth and Family and enjoyed putting his interest in people, and his varied life experiences, to good use.
To do this job people had to have a "real passion" for young people and helping them, be patient, calm, and know themselves.
"It's an amazing thing to do," he said.
Mr Gale also hoped people would consider becoming caregivers to young people in need as there was a great demand for those willing to open their homes to them.
"They are not all bad. For these people to re-engage in the community, they need to be given a second chance. If they feel safe, they act safe," he said.
National Social Workers' Day
• The day aims to highlight the role social workers play in helping families.
• Social workers are employed in a wide range of settings including schools, hospitals, mental health services, hospices, and by Barnardos and Women's Refuge.
• Child, Youth and Family is the single largest employer of social workers in New Zealand with more than 1246 nationally.
• The organisation employs 299 in the South Island, 173 are social workers, 68 are senior practitioners, and 58 are supervisors.
