Barnardos New Zealand welcomes the Canadian academic, social worker and marriage and family therapist, Professor Mike Ungar[1], who is in Auckland this week to give a series of workshops and presentations on youth resilience for policy makers, social workers, researchers and parents.

"Once again we are very pleased to have the opportunity to work in conjunction with the Social Workers Registration Board and Massey University to host Professor Michael Ungar, and strengthen professional practice of social workers and others working with children and families, says Murray Edridge, Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand.

"This event, titled Strengths-based practice with at-risk children and families: Interventions to nurture hidden resilience across cultures and contexts, is tailored for professionals working with children, youth and families labelled dangerous, deviant, delinquent and disordered to better understand 'problem' behaviours. It is an opportunity to see children and families from a strengths-based perspective, and making a positive contribution to the way in which we engage with them".

Professor Ungar considers resilience as an individual's capacity to beat the odds and overcome great adversity. His workshop focuses on how mental health professionals and human service providers can support change and increase the odds to make resilience more likely to occur.

There will also be a presentation, titled Raising kids that care: Turning the me generation into the we generation, for parents on Wednesday, 14 October. The event will concentrate on finding out how to help protect teens from early sexual activity, drug abuse and delinquency, and instead raising them to become competent, caring contributors to their families, schools and communities.

The public event is free and held at Clouston Hall, St Cuthbert's College, 122 Market Road, Epsom, Auckland.

Books are available for sale on the night.