PSA Press Release
April 1, 2004

Child Youth and Family on track but short-term help needed

Many of the issues and remedies covered in the proposal relating to Child Youth and Family and released by the United Future NZ Party today have already been covered and are underway, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“The Baseline Review carried out last year by Treasury, the State Services Commission, the Ministry of Social Development, and Child Youth and Family itself identified and offered solutions to many of the problems outlined by United Future. As a result of a subsequent injection of funds, Child Youth and Family is now working on new long term strategies, systems, and processes to help turn around the difficulties of the past.”

Richard Wagstaff said, however, that the PSA was concerned that social workers required some more immediate assistance to help cope with the excessive demands being placed upon them.

“Some of the shorter term solutions the PSA is proposing include additional resources over and above those currently being considered; administration support for new and existing social workers; monitoring arrangements for waiting lists; higher remuneration; and enlisting the help of appropriate community agencies.”

Richard Wagstaff said the PSA had met with the chief executive of Child Youth and Family, and would be meeting with the Minister, Ruth Dyson, next week.

ENDS

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