MEDIA RELEASE

State of Care 2015 Report

24 September 2015

For Immediate Release

The children’s workforce of the over 200 member agencies of Social Service Providers Aotearoa have been awaiting the release of the Expert Advisory Panel’s Review Report of Child Youth and Family.

“Many of the services our members provide are directly contracted by CYF or Community Investment and concern the care and protection of children”, says Tara D’Sousa, SSPA’s National Manager. “This report’s recommendations are likely to impact the critical relationship between providers of contracted services and the statutory agency, and our hope is that we are seen to be equal partners with different responsibilities providing a seamless continuum of wrap-around care services for children and young people”

The report’s affirmation for a child-centred system, employing practice and early intervention approaches based on evidential data of what works is very encouraging. We also welcome the emphasis on supporting strong professional practice and judgement as one of the four building blocks recommended for the new system.

The resourcing of care services, whether in-house or contracted, the setting of standards for high-quality and sustainable care services, the continuing monitoring and evaluation of them are critical components to any transformational change. SSPA looks forward to significant investment in children’s care.

It is particularly important, given the almost 60% representation of Māori children and young people in the system, that whānau care be supported and the processes of Whānau Ora be clearly linked with statutory care. Children’s needs are developmental, families should be supported to respond to them in situations where hardship and intergenerational problems make raising children a challenge. SSPA sees a strong role for government in this, both directly supporting families as well as NGOs who support families. “Yesterday’s children in care are today’s parents”, says Ms D’Sousa.

As the report has pointed out there have been 14 reviews and restructures of CYF since 1988. The public needs to have confidence that this time we’ve got it right. SSPA members have continuously put themselves forward to work ever more closely with the statutory services, and we are keen to be part of the Panel’s vision for a New Zealand that values the well-being of our tamariki.

ENDS

About Social Service Providers Aotearoa:

SSPA is a national umbrella body for about 200 New Zealand NGOs working with children, families and community. By establishing strong regional networks and by co-ordinating Best Practice Workshops and training opportunities SSPA empowers member service providers to make a positive and significant difference in their communities through their work with children, young people and families.

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