More state child abuse as CYF plays pass the parcel

National Party Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins today released new figures showing that more and more children in CYF care are being moved from home to home in a “sick game of pass the parcel”.

Answers to parliamentary questions show the number of children in CYF care who have been placed in three or more homes within 12 months has increased dramatically compared to previous years.

In 2004/05, 70 children aged two and under were placed in three or more foster homes or other placements, compared with 33 in 2003/04, and 12 in 2002/03.

In 2004/05, 585 children aged 13 and under were placed in three or more foster homes or other placements, compared with 516 in 2003/04, and 424 in 2002/03.

“For children aged 13 and under that is an increase of 38 per cent since 2002/03,” says Ms Collins.

“The numbers of children under two moving from home to home are the most upsetting. These are our most vulnerable children. These are kids who need the most stability of care, but they are not getting it.

“Being moved from place to place at least three times within a year must have a serious impact on these children. They have been caught in a game of pass the parcel and it is tragic.

“Millions of taxpayer dollars have been poured into CYF, which is still lurching from one crisis to the next. Ruth Dyson must front-up on this issue,” says Ms Collins.

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