We are here to listen and help you navigate what’s happening and connect you with the right support.
At Visionwest, our social workers work alongside you to understand what’s happening, build on your strengths and find practical ways forward. This might include advocacy, connecting you with services and resources, or providing support through more complex situations.
Our social workers work across a range of settings, including schools, homes and community services, supporting people with issues such as family relationships, parenting, housing, financial hardship, wellbeing and safety.
Visionwest Family Services in Counties Manukau was previously known as Iosis, and was welcomed into the Visionwest whānau in July 2026. Read more about this journey here.
Visionwest Social Work Support in Counties Manukau
Foster Care
Providing a safe and caring home for children.
When children can’t safely live with their own family or whānau, foster carers open their homes and provide the care, stability and connection they need.
Our foster carers play an important role in helping children feel safe, supported and part of a family, while working alongside their whānau and other professionals to support their wellbeing and future.
Different types of foster care include: Respite care, Emergency care, Short-term care and Extended Care.
Visionwest Counties offers Foster Care through Iosis, who train and support foster carers to provide safe, caring and loving homes to tamariki in need.
Parent Support
Tailored home-based parent coaching and support programme.
Parent Support is designed for parents with at least one child living at home who would benefit from practical one-on-one coaching to build confidence in parenting and everyday life.
Our Visionwest team visits you in your home, working alongside you to understand your family’s circumstances, strengths and needs. Together, we develop practical strategies that are tailored to your goals and what works for your family. Where appropriate, we can also connect families with other Visionwest Counties services, including parenting programmes, social work and counselling.
Ready to take the next step?
Referrals can be made by you, a Plunket Nurse, doctor, school, social worker or Oranga Tamariki.
Community Social Work
Support for whānau in vulnerable communities to overcome challenges that are affecting their family life.
How we can help
- Advocacy around housing, benefits and access to services
- Accessing legal and medical support
- Setting goals and creating a plan
- Strength-based support and encouragement
- Whānau hui
- Safety planning
- Whānau reunification
Ready to take the next step?
Referrals can be made by you or your social agency. There is no charge for this service.
Intensive Social Work
When challenges are complex, whānau may need more than occasional support.
Our Intensive Social Work service provides consistent, hands-on support for individuals and whānau facing significant or multiple challenges. Our social workers work closely with whānau, often in their homes and communities, providing practical support, advocacy and connection to other services.
Together, we work through immediate challenges while building the skills, confidence and connections needed for lasting change.
Ready to take the next step?
Referrals can be made by you or your social agency. There is no charge for this service.
Social Workers in Schools (SWiS)
Supporting vulnerable tamariki and their whānau in many South Auckland schools.
Social Workers in Schools is a free community service available across Counties Manukau, supporting children, young people and their families/whānau to learn, grow and thrive.
Our Visionwest Social Worker works in partnership with your school to provide support when challenges arise. We work alongside children and whānau to identify concerns early, build on family strengths and find practical ways forward.
How to access this service
Teachers, school leadership teams, and community members can refer children and whānau to the school’s Social Worker.
Multi-Agency Support Services in Secondary Schools (MASSiSS)
Supporting young people at school before challenges become bigger.
MASSiSS is a school-based social work service supporting young people and their whānau when challenges at school or home begin to affect their wellbeing, safety or education.
Our social workers work alongside students, whānau and school staff to provide practical support, build on strengths and help young people stay engaged with school.
How to access this service
Teachers, school leadership teams, and community members can refer you to our Social Workers in Secondary Schools service.
Who are Visionwest?
For over 30 years, Visionwest Community Trust has supported communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Visionwest Family Services is part of a wider network of support, including healthcare, housing, kai/ food support, counselling, youth development, financial mentoring, early childhood care, and more.
Every year, we support thousands of people experiencing isolation, poverty, and homelessness, providing practical support with compassion and manaakitanga. Our services are guided by a faith-led ethic and the integration of Kaupapa Māori principles.