Let’s get real - new report calls for an open and consultative CYF Review process on Social Workers Day

The Public Service Association (PSA), the union for social workers, is celebrating New Zealand Social Workers Day with the release of Let’s Get Real, a report on the future for Child, Youth and Family (CYF).

The report comes from a recent social workers symposium in Auckland, and responds to the Government’s CYF review which ignores the current underfunding of the sector as a driver of systemic issues in child protection.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA national secretary, said "For the last decade social workers have been asked to do more with less. Minister Tolley needs to address the dangerous resourcing shortages within the system before she can make informed decisions about the state of CYF."

"The CYF Review is a behind-closed-doors discussion between a few so-called experts, and many believe it is set up to provide an excuse for privatising public services," said Richard Wagstaff.

"The PSA has met with numerous social workers and others with an interest in this issue, including hosting a symposium to give stakeholders a voice they have been denied by the expert panel.

"We call on minister Tolley to step back from making hasty decisions based on a one-sided review.

"The Ministry of Social Development’s Qualitative review of social worker caseload, casework and workload management last year was a lesson in how the Ministry can work with staff and their union to resolve long-standing issues.

"The Productivity Commission’s report on social services said ‘serious consideration is the way forward for our social services, not rushed through radical changes’.

"Our most vulnerable children are too important to rush this process," said Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

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