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Teen parent units
Teen parent units (TPU) provide wraparound support to pregnant or parenting students by working closely with an affiliated Early Childhood Education (ECE) provider as well as community groups and government agencies. This wraparound support enables students to access a range of services and support systems that minimise barriers and increase engagement in education.
TPUs provide secondary education that results in successful transitions to further education, training or employment.
A TPU is an educational unit attached to an established state or state-integrated secondary school (managing school). TPUs operate as a separate department within the school and may be located on or off the school’s site. The ECE, which caters for the children of teen parents, is either onsite or close by.
Establishing a TPU
The establishment of a TPU is driven by the interest of the managing school and is subject to the school having:
- links with an early learning service, preferably onsite or adjacent to the school
- the space available (on or offsite) to accommodate a TPU
- identified the local need for a TPU
- demonstrated the ability to sustain the TPU roll.
Target student group
A student is eligible to enrol at the managing school of a TPU and be included on the TPU roll if they meet all of the following criteria:
- they are pregnant or are a parent
- they are a primary caregiver
- they are of an eligible age to receive free education (that is, before 1 January following their 19th birthday in accordance with Section 3 of the Education Act 1989).
Programme
By developing an Individual Learning Programme (ILP) based on each student's individual needs, registered teachers support students to improve their academic achievement, literacy, numeracy, and career competencies.
An ILP is developed in collaboration with each student and/or whānau when they first enrol in the TPU. The ILP includes educational, wellbeing and transition goals for the student and is used to develop a tailored learning programme that is responsive to the individual needs of the student.
The minimum criterion for an ILP includes:
- numeracy and literacy goals at a level appropriate for the student
- wellbeing goals (health, social, behaviour, parenting)
- career competencies and/or transition goals (either within the ILP or a separate transition plan)
- a measure to ensure a regular review and update (at least once per term).
Funding and operation
The board of trustees of the managing school (the Board) is responsible for managing all aspects of the TPU including employment, reporting, and resourcing to manage the TPU. The Board has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all parties in operating a TPU.
The Board is responsible for employing registered teachers to staff the TPU and a Teacher in Charge (or Director) who oversees the unit. The Board will act as a good employer following accepted appointment and performance management processes. This includes supporting staff to access professional development that will support continuous improvement and lead to increased outcomes for students.
The TPU is an important part of the wider school, and as such the Board will develop its school charter to reflect the needs of the learners attending the TPU and include information on their progress and achievement in its Annual Report.
Operational funding for the TPU is paid directly to the managing school. The amount of funding provided is based on the approved maximum roll of the TPU, at a Decile 1A rate. TPUs are also provided with staffing and management units which allows the Board of the managing school to employ registered teachers at a 1:10 ratio.
Monitoring and reporting
Download Word versions of the TPU Annual and midyear report:
TPU midyear report (Word 2007 36 KB)
TPU annual report (Word 2007 36 KB)
There is a requirement under the TPU MoU to report on outcomes and student achievement to ensure accountability for public funds. The midyear report is due on the 5th working day following the start of school term 3. The annual report is due no later than April of the following year.
Guidance and framework
The TPU operational guidelines provide practical information on the Ministry’s policies related to running a TPU, including information on enrolment, attendance, resourcing, property, and the ECE service.
Download the guidelines:
TPU Operational Guidelines (PDF 421 KB)
The TPU outcome framework is a tool for TPU teachers and leadership staff that sets out the key outcomes and indicators of best practice in TPUs.
Download the framework:
TPU Outcome Framework (PDF 822 KB)
Education Review Office (ERO) reports 2017 and 2018
In 2017 ERO reviewed each of the 24 TPUs to investigate the quality of education provided and the extent to which they supported positive outcomes for TPU students and their children. Each report included specific recommendations for the TPUs.
In July 2018, ERO released the evaluation report on Teen Parent Units. The report was a summary report of the 24 TPUs individual reports that were released in 2017. ERO wanted to know how effective are TPUs in supporting and promoting positive outcomes for students. They looked at:
- what are the important features of TPUs that have an impact on student outcomes?
- how effective is the leadership, management, and organisations of the TPU?
- what do the TPUs know about outcomes for individual students?
- how well do the TPUs’ processes promote and support student engagement and success?
- what is the quality of teaching and learning at the TPUs?
- how well do TPUs work with their educational and community providers to promote outcomes?
ERO also provided recommendations for:
- the Ministries of Education, Social Development, Health and Oranga Tamariki
- the Ministry of Education
- all TPUs.
The report is available on the ERO website - Teen Parent Units - July 2018 .
The links to the individual reports are on Appendix 3, page 33, of the report.
Association of Teen Parent Educators New Zealand (ATPENZ)
Association of Teen Parent Educators New Zealand (ATPENZ ) – site covers what you need to know about studying at secondary school as a teen parent.
ATPENZ promotes the provision of ongoing education for young parents and supports the schools and teachers who provide these opportunities.
Teen Parent Schools – you can read more about teen parent schools in your region.
Early Childhood Centres (ECE) – has a list of ECEs that support and are associated with teen parent schools. The page has contact information for each provider, including contact name, physical address, email address, and phone number.
Further information
Learning Support services
For information on Learning Support services visit
Learning Support - Ministry of Education
on the Ministry of Education's website.
Ministry regional office
To contact your Ministry regional office, go to
Regional offices - Ministry of Education
.
Becoming a host school
Find out about the responsibilities of host schools
Maintaining a Teen Parent Unit
Further queries
For further queries, email the Ministry at
[email protected]
Teen parent units, managing schools and ECE centres
Ministry region | Teen parent unit | Managing school | Attached ECE centre |
---|---|---|---|
Tai Tokerau | He Matariki Teen Parent School Whangarei Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 438 2602 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 433 1702 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 438 1840 |
Kaikohe Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 405 3060 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 401 3200 | Kowhai Corner Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 401 0114 |
|
Auckland | Henderson Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 837 7570 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 838 9085 | Barnados KidStart Childcare – Henderson Early Learning Centre Phone: 09 835 9576 Email: [email protected] |
Otara Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 272 2871 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 274 5764 | Haumia Early Childhood Centre
Email:
[email protected]
|
|
Mt Eden Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 638 3412 | Auckland Girls’ Grammar School Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 307 4180 | Eden Campus Early Learning Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 638 3413 |
|
Manurewa Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 269 2863 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 268 3950 | Pōtiki Early Childhood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 09 269 2862 |
|
Waikato | Hamilton Email: [email protected] Phone: 0800 218 788 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 847 9044 | Campus Creche at Fraser Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 838 4034 |
Pa Harakeke Continuing Education Centre Tokoroa Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 886 6109 Ext 706 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 886 6109 | Tokoroa Childcare Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 886 8605 |
|
Bay of Plenty, Waiariki | Te Āhuru Mōwai Rotorua School for Young Parents Rotorua Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 242 7114 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 348 0156 | |
Te Whakatipuranga - School for Young Parents Tauranga Email: [email protected] Phone: 0800 686 722 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 576 2316 | Toi Ohomai Childcare Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 557 8737 |
|
Rangiatea
Whakatane Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 929 5010 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 308 8251 | ||
Te Tari Ako Matua Taiohi Education Centre Kawerau Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 323 8400 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 323 6553 | Ngā Ririki Early Learning Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 323 9324 |
|
Hawke's Bay, Tairāwhiti | Hawke's Bay School for Teen Parents Napier Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 833 6758 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 831 0180 | Colenso Early Childhood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 833 6757 |
Te Whare Whai Hua Young Parents Centre Gisborne Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 833 5193 Ext 366 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 868 5193 | Te Whare Whai Hua Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 868 0255 |
|
Flaxmere Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 650 0679 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 879 9833 | Te Tipu Whenua Early Childhood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 650 0713 |
|
Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū | Stratford Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 765 0402 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 765 6039 | Koru Kindergarten Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 765 6051 |
Palmerston North Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 353 5690 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 358 4971 | Ngā Rito o Te Pūawaitanga Early Childhood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 357 5526 |
|
Wellington | Titiro Whakamua Teen Parent Programme Upper Hutt Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 528 8977 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 939 9370 | Titiro Whakamua – Looking Forward Early Childhood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 529 8355 |
Linden Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 232 0956 | Wellington East Girls' College Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 385 8514 | Kids Count Tawa - The Griffin School Email: [email protected] Phone: 04 232 0920 |
|
Puawānanga Wairarapa Young Parents Masterton Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 377 3491 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 378 6074 | Makoura Community Early C-Hood Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 377 0224 |
|
Levin Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 368 1073 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 368 8303 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 06 368 7429 |
|
Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast | Nelson Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 545 6800 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 548 3104 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 546 3383 |
Canterbury, Chatham Islands | Karanga Mai Young Parents College Kaiapoi Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 327 8386 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 375 5004 | Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 327 8315 |
Christchurch Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 982 0100 Ext 701 | Te Aratai College (formerly Linwood College) Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 982 0100 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 389 1800 |
|
Otago, Southland | Murihiku Young Parents’ Learning Centre Invercargill Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 217 9659 | Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 217 6129 | Surrey Park Early Learning Centre Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 217 3477 |