Maggie Riseley – Family Works family whānau worker

For 16 years, Family Works family whānau worker Maggie Riseley has been walking alongside young families facing challenges as they navigate the first five years of their children’s lives.

Maggie said she absolutely loved her job working in the Family Start programme.

“Never once in my life since I came here 16 years ago have I not wanted to come into work.

“Even if you can make small change in a child’s life, that is worth its weight in gold.”

Maggie works with pregnant mothers and their children up to the age of five in a home-based setting, providing a range of supports from helping the mothers develop their parenting skills, transporting them to appointments and linking them with other supports as needed.

“Having worked in early childhood education for 10 years, I have a passion for children.

“I love watching the children’s ages and stages, and seeing the parents gain confidence in their skills as a parent.”

Maggie is also the Early Learning Payment (ELP) coordinator for the Southland area, acting as the link between the families applying for the payment, the childcare centres and Work and Income NZ (WINZ).

ELP is a WINZ payment which provides 20 hours of free childcare a week for children aged 18 months to three years for families on the Family Start programme.

“ELP is my baby, my passion.”

Maggie said PSS was a family-oriented organisation and management was very supportive of the staff, particularly in encouraging on-going training.

“If you have got a passion to make a difference in a child’s life, this is where you need to be.”