PRESS RELEASE
Embargoed until Wednesday 7 May, 2014

Ministry of Justice appoints Presbyterian Support to deliver family dispute resolution services

Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN) has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice to provide family dispute resolution services (FDR) on behalf of the Family Court following significant changes announced in September 2013.

PSN’s Family Works will undertake the three components of the family disputes resolution process throughout the upper North Island, including the East Coast.

The three components include the assessment of an individual’s and family’s suitability to participate; preparatory counselling for those who need it; and mediation.

Presbyterian Support Northern’s chief executive, Rod Watts, says he is thrilled the organisation has been awarded a contract to supply Family Disputes Resolution services as it means PSN can help children and families further.

“Offering the new FDR service is a great fit for PSN as it adds to the extensive, wrap-around services our Family Works division already provides to children and families in the challenges they face on a daily basis,” says Rod.

“At the very heart of our Family Works we champion children and families, and offering a FDR service means we can help children and their families even more.”

The Ministry of Justice launched the new FDR service in March as part of the Family Court review.

The FDR service places more emphasis on people resolving their child arrangements outside of the Family Court, wherever possible, while ensuring that those who need help to resolve issues are supported. [http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/justice-system-improvements/family-court-reform]

“Family Works has always been a child and family centred service,” says Rod Watts.

“Choosing Family Works for dispute resolution services will save families a lot of the time, expense and stress of going to court.”

The Family Works FDR service is being coordinated at PSN’s Support Office where an 0800 number (0800 RESOLVE) and a call centre have been established.

About Family Works and Presbyterian Support Northern

Family Works is part of PSN, with services which annually support more than 15,000 at-risk children and their families to help them address complex issues like violence and conflict.

The range of social services Family Works provides include counseling for young people and their families and caregivers, home visits, social workers in schools, parenting programmes and budgeting services.

Family Works is part of Presbyterian Support Northern, an independent, charitable social service organisation that supports vulnerable people and enhances local communities.

ENDS

W: https://northern.familyworks.org.nz/ and https://northern.ps.org.nz/

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