4 Mount Albert schools to benefit from extra social workers

Melissa Lee
National Party MP

30 January 2013

Four Mount Albert schools to benefit from extra social workers

“Four of schools in the Mount Albert electorate will benefit from an expansion of the Government’s Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) programme” says National MP Melissa Lee.

The following schools will benefit under the second stage of the Government’s Social Workers in Schools programme:

• Avondale Intermediate
• Rosebank School
• Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Maungarongo
• Waterview School

Melissa Lee welcomed the Government’s announcement that a further 80 schools throughout New Zealand, including those in Mount Albert would be covered by the second stage of the expansion of SWiS next term.

SWiS provides accessible, professional social work services to meet the needs of children at risk of poor social, educational and health outcomes.

This is part of National’s commitment to deliver better public services to New Zealanders.

“This programme is a vital frontline response to preventing and addressing abuse and neglect - if we are serious about protecting children then we need specialist staff in the right place,” says Melissa Lee.

The first stage of the expansion, rolled out in July last year, covered Northland, South Auckland and Hawke’s Bay schools. Today’s announcement covers schools in Auckland and the South Island. The third and final stage covers the rest of the North Island.

The staged expansion will be completed in 2013 when all 673 decile 1-3 schools and around 131,000 children will have access to a social worker.

ENDS

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