Professional Organisation Links

Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand (AHANZ)
Is a collegial group made up of 27 national associations representing more than 30, 000 allied health practitioners.  Being part of this group has provided us with support while we have navigated the criteria for self regulating bodies, and provides us insight into upcoming changes to ways of working for allied health professionals.

www.alliedhealth.org.nz
Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) 
ECAC is an important part of the Ministry’s relationship with the sector. The purpose of ECAC is to foster a relationship between Government and the early learning sector to achieve common goals.

https://www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/how-the-ministry-works/early-childhood-advisory-committee-ecac/
Early Education Federation (EEDFED).
This is collegial group represents many sectors of the early childhood sector. Meetings are specifically coordinated with ECAC to allow more informal and in-depth discussions about issues affecting early childhood teachers and services.  This forum allows us to create a collective voice for early childhood.

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www.earlyeducationfederation.com/about-us/
Education Council
The Education Council is the professional organisation for teachers.  Represent all teachers from early childhood education through to primary and secondary schooling in English and Māori medium schools.  

​www.educationcouncil.org.nz
Education Gazette: 
New Zealand’s source of education news, articles and career development opportunities for education professionals.

www.gazette.education.govt.nz
Education Review Office: 
The Education Review Office (ERO) is the New Zealand government department that evaluates and reports on the education and care of students in schools and early childhood services.

www.ero.govt.nz
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Ministry of Education 
The Ministry of Education is the Government's lead advisor on the New Zealand education system, shaping direction for sector agencies and providers. 

He taonga te tamaiti, Strategic Plan - The draft strategic plan for early learning will set the direction and vision for the next 10 years. It is now open for consultation until 15 March 2019.
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https://conversation.education.govt.nz/conversations/early-learning-strategic-plan/
Ministry of Health
​The Ministry works across the health sector to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders.
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​https://www.health.govt.nz/

National Networking

​DHB’s with HPS services 
Auckland District Health Board
Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Capital and Coast District Health Board
Canterbury District Health Board
Counties Manukau District Health Board
Hawkes Bay District Health Board
Hutt Valley District Health Board
Lakes District Health Board
Nelson Marlborough District Health Board
Northern District Health Board
Southern District Health Board
Tairāwhiti District Health Board
Taranaki District Health Board
Waikato District Health Board
Waitemata District Health Board

International Networking

​Each of the following organisation represents play specialist and/or related professionals from around the world. Although we are not directly affiliated with them, the website links offer the opportunity for all of us to network and connect with peers from different countries.
AMERICA
Association of Child life Professionals 
www.childlife.org
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The Association of Child life Professionals (ACLP) was established as a non-profit organization in 1982, ACLP advances the field of child life by establishing and maintaining professional standards, enhancing the professional growth and development of members, and advancing the credibility of the child life profession by fostering research and promoting the standards of child life practice on a national and international level.  
ACLP represents trained professionals with expertise in helping infants, children, youth, and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury and treatment. ACLP is comprised of more than 5,000 individuals representing at least 600 organizations worldwide. Members include Certified Child Life Specialists, child life assistants, university educators and students, hospital administrators and staff, school teachers, therapeutic recreation specialists, and professionals in related fields. 
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Conference: Annual
AUSTRALIA
Association of Child Life Therapists Australia 
www.childlife.org.au
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The Association of Child Life Therapists Australia (ACLTA- formerly Australian Association of Hospital Play Specialists) is the national professional body representing child life therapists in paediatric healthcare.

Conference: Biennial
CANADA
Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders 
www.cacll.org
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The Canadian Association of Child Life Leaders (CACLL) is an association of child life leaders from across Canada, and currently represents 28 children's hospitals, 7 community facilities, 4 academic programs, 1 private practice and 1 research facility. CACLL provides leadership and advocates for the child life profession in Canada and promotes membership and certification with the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

Conference: Refer to website for updates
HONG KONG 
Hong Kong Child Life Association
https://hkchildlife.wordpress.com

​Hong Kong Child Life Association (HKCLA) recommends child life practitioners in Hong Kong to follow the professional standards established by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Child Life (or Hospital Play) personnel were first introduced to Hong Kong in the 90’s by non-profit organizations. The Child Life Specialists in Hong Kong has demonstrated through their clinical practice in the past two decades that positive changes could be achieved if child life interventions were utilized and delivered as an integral part of the total care in pediatrics. 
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Conference: Refer to website for updates
JAPAN
Japanese Association of Certified Child Life Specialists 
http://childlifespecialist.jp
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The Japanese Association of Certified Child Life Specialists (JACCLS) is a professional association for Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) in Japan. The JACCLS was founded in 2011 to help members maintain their professional level as CCLSs, advance knowledge and technique, provide peer support, and conduct research, in order to continue to provide better psychosocial support for children and their families in Japanese hospitals. 
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The JACCLS ensures members provide high-quality child life services in Japan healthcare settings based on the principles set forth by the Association of Child Life Professionals. 

Conference: Refer to website for updates
KUWAIT
Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital 
www.kacch.org
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Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH) is a non-governmental charitable organisation registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour in 2003.
It was founded informally in 1989 to help children and their families cope with the stresses of hospitalisation. It is managed by volunteers and funded by donations from organisations, businesses, banks, schools and individuals within Kuwait. Currently KACCH employs child life specialist to be part of the paediatric team in six government hospitals in Kuwait.
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Conference: Refer to website for updates
 UNITED KINGDOM
National Association of Hospital Play Specialist
www.nahps.org.uk

National Association of Hospital Play Specialist (NAHPS) is a charity which promotes the physical and mental well-being of children and young people who are patients in hospital, hospice or receiving medical care at home. NAHPS aims to promote high professional standards for play staff, and to ensure the provision of appropriate therapeutic and stimulating play in hospital. In addition, the charity provides professional support for all health play staff.

Conference: Refer to website for updates