Information for parents

As a parent you play a vital role in supporting and encouraging your teenager to realise their potential. Some teens struggled in school and left with few qualifications; others may have done alright but still left unsure what it is they really wanted to do. No or little work experience can make it tough for teenagers to get their first job.

Canterbury Youth Transition Services (CYTS) is a free service assisting teenagers who’ve left school and are unsure of their next step. It helps them achieve their work, training or study goals by assessing their needs, skills, and aims; then providing advice and support to reach these.

Our Contact Centre staff phone school leavers in the Christchurch, Selwyn, Ashburton, Hurunui and Waimakariri areas to offer support under an agreement with schools. If teens don’t need help, we’ll ask to keep in touch every six months or so till they reach 20. If they do need help – we’ll provide the best support we can.

Support may be provided through our Contact Centre, or by experienced Youth Coaches. These Coaches work with school leavers who need extra help, developing an individual career plan which may include -

• Employment coaching
• Mentoring
• Apprenticeship support
• Engagement in education / work experience programmes
• Referrals to programmes that develop self esteem and confidence
• Referrals to programmes that address health and social needs for young people.

Youth Coaches also identify other organisations that can help transition school leavers into a positive future. This may mean a referral to another organisation that provides services that CYTS doesn’t offer like counselling, drug and alcohol treatment, family work etc.

Referrals to CYTS can be made by anyone via the Contact Centre. We’ll then get in touch with the young person directly and ask their permission to be referred to a Youth Coach. CYTS is also supported by a number of community and government organisations.

If your teenager hasn’t been contacted by Canterbury Youth Transition Services, but needs help, contact us on:

0800 900 100

or txt 029 770 1316

Email: contact@cyts.co.nz