October 2026 Lower North Caregiver News

You can contact me on the Lower North mobile number 027 501 0394 and the Lower North email address: lowernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz

Wairarapa region

EVENTS

Have you heard it’s our 50th Anniversary? There are lots of ways to get involved in our 50th Celebrations. You can enter our monthly competition, register for a free gift, watch our 50th Anniversary video, or read some inspiring stories from some very special people who have helped shape who we are today as an organisation. If you haven’t already seen all the ways we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary, go to our page on the website by clicking the button below.

SELF-DIRECTED TRAINING

Have you tried our new registration process for online caregiver training yet? If you’re an eligible trainee, we’ve started sending you a monthly invitation from our training platform, with a link to find out more and register for courses in the next intake.

We’d love to hear your feedback while the platform is still new – as it has been designed with your busy days in mind. Like any new system, we have experienced some teething issues, but we’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure the process is seamless for you. Send any thoughts and comments to us at training@caringfamilies.org.nz

If you’re caregiving under an Agency, our monthly invitations to register for training are sent to your Agency instead. Have a chat with your Agency and let them know which of our courses you’d like to start!

You can find information about our caregiver training courses and the registration process here – Self-directed Online Learning – Caring Families

New courses for October

This month we’re introducing two new Additional Courses to our training suite. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete, but you don’t need to finish them in one sitting – just like all our courses, you can dip in and out and save your progress as you go.

Helping Babies Heal – understanding the impact of trauma

Learn how to recognise and respond to the emotional and developmental needs of an infant or toddler in your care. We’ll leave you with strategies for building trust, security and healthy attachment.

They Care Too – the impact of fostering on biological children

We explore the experiences of biological children in mixed caregiving households, navigate the unique challenges (and some opportunities too!) and learn practical strategies to support positive relationships and help the whole family thrive.

Register by Tuesday 6 October if you’d like to take advantage of this training, or any of our courses, this month.

Missed the email?
We’ve received a few enquiries from caregivers who haven’t seen the email from our registration platform inviting you to register for courses. If this sounds familiar, check your junk mail or search for these details in your Inbox – sender no-reply@caringfamilies.net.nz and subject “Invitation to sign up for Caring Families Aotearoa training course”.

SUPPORT

Wellington Family and Foster Care Association  (Please note the 50th Celebration has been postponed to November.)

Date:  Thursday 15th October 2026
Time: 10.00am
Location: Colombus Coffee, Petone Mitre 10, 25 Bouverie Street, Petone
Please RSVP to Tori 027 425 4709 

Manawatu Foster Care Association –50th Celebration
Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026 
Time: 10.00am
Location: The Verdict, 32a The Square, Palmerston North.
Please RSVP via the email link that we sent to Support Group members on 30 September. Or call 0800 693 323 to register. 

If you are not sure who to contact please call our national office between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 0800 693 323 or email enquiries@caringfamilies.org.nz

Or if you need Critical Support, please call 0800 693 278.

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS

Have you joined our private Facebook group for caregivers?