Agreement recognises Family Works support for children and families
An agreement signed between the Ministry of Social Development and Presbyterian Support New Zealand today focuses on
delivering the best results for children and families in need of support.
The contract entrusts Presbyterian Support’s nationwide network of Family Works centres with responsibility to provide
services that meet a wide range of needs, from counseling, social work and budgeting to parenting education, family
violence prevention and support for youth at risk.
Presbyterian Support’s National Executive Group Chairman, Chris Graham, says the new arrangement will ensure the
national network of Family Works providers, which has a proven record of high quality effective service, is best enabled
to deliver.
“The agreement continues the Ministry’s move to formalise relationships with trusted community organisations and, at the
same time, to be confident that taxpayers’ money is being spent to best effect,” Chris Graham says.
Social Development Ministry Deputy Chief Executive Ray Smith says this morning’s signing marked an important step
forward in this significant and valued relationship and builds on Government support for joined-up social service
delivery and reduced compliance costs.
“This financial year the Ministry provided $11.3 million in funding to Presbyterian Support. We have been working to
ensure we team up as effectively as possible and today’s signing is the culmination of that work.”
“The agreement sets out in plain English how we will streamline contracting with Presbyterian Support’s regional
organisations, by providing an overarching framework to simplify compliance. It shifts the responsibilities on providers
away from ticking boxes to the delivery of outcomes,” Ray Smith says.
“The Ministry is interested in results. We are delighted the agreement recognises that Family Works’ client-centred
approach gets the right results and makes a positive difference in the lives of the people who benefit from our
services,” Chris Graham says.
Presbyterian Support has Family Works centres located throughout the country from Invercargill to Whangarei.
ENDS