Improving the Safety of Children - Care and Protection Blueprint 2003

The Minister of Social Services and Employment, Hon Steve Maharey, has today released the Care and Protection Blueprint 2003 which provides an action-based plan for improving processes and practices amongst care and protection agencies.

The Blueprint has been developed in close collaboration with the care and protection community and draws directly on the perspectives of a range of government and non-government organisations and individuals. There is now a clear consensus about what needs to be done next.

The Care and Protection Blueprint 2003 provides a shared vision for everyone in the care and protection community to work towards. A set of goals and specific actions have been identified.

Commenting on the release, Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development, said ”The challenge now is to use the Blueprint and its action plan to drive change at the frontline to improve the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and families. This will require commitment and action from everyone in the care and protection community – that is, every individual and agency that contributes to improving child wellbeing and to preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect.”

Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of Presbyterian Support East Coast, was one of the non-government people involved in developing the Blueprint. Pointing out the importance of a multi –sector approach, he said, “Having a commitment to action from a team of Cabinet ministers and from a range of community and government agencies is a big step towards making New Zealand a great place for all children to grow up”.

Over the next few months the Blueprint Steering Group will be seeking feedback on the Blueprint and considering how the actions can be further developed and implemented to ensure better outcomes for children and young people.

Rev Alfred Ngaro, from Tamaki Family Ministries is another Blueprint Development Group member who will be involved in promoting the Blueprint. He said, “The greatest challenge for this Blueprint is not so much the quality of planning and process but the willingness of people within the care and protection community to realise that the power of change comes in the form of an open hand and not a closed fist. I believe the Blueprint should provide two key elements: a strong foundation of values for the care and protection of all children, families and whanau to stand firm on, and the flexibility to embrace individual needs and community issues”.

“I am committed to ensuring that the Ministry of Social Development actively leads the implementation of the Blueprint, working collaboratively across the government and community sectors to achieve real and positive change”, said Peter Hughes

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