Wyatt starts work as a night staffer at the local Boy’s Home. He hopes it may be a stepping stone to a career as a social worker. Fifteen-year-old petty offender Jai is taken to the Home after he is caught for a burglary that goes horribly wrong. Wyatt, who processes his admission, is the first staff member Jai meets. Wyatt is an accomplished musician and most nights, once the boys are in bed, he sits in the night staff office and plays the guitar. It can be heard from the dormitories and helps to keep the boys settled. Jai also plays the guitar and he is intrigued when he hears his favourite tune Shuffle Rag. He sees an opportunity to learn it. The two eventually form a bond around their shared love of music. The Boys Home is a dynamic, volatile, and challenging environment. Both Jai and Wyatt need to find their place and learn how to survive. As time passes, they experience a series of events that will significantly shape their futures.
Chris started his career working on the floor in residential care as a night staffer, social worker, and supervisor. He formed a lifelong passion for the work. After ten years he moved to the Public Prison Service, managing education, health and therapeutic programmes for the Wellington region’s three prisons, eventually managing Mount Crawford Prison. Chris returned to the Welfare System to become Manager of Operations for the country’s Youth Justice Residences. He progressed to other senior roles in Youth Justice, eventually becoming the General Manager.