Anne Tolley MP
National Party Associate Welfare Spokeswoman (CYF)

3 February 2007

‘Gross professional incompetence’ at CYF

Ruth Dyson needs to take a long hard look at her department, says National’s Associate Welfare spokeswoman Anne Tolley.

She is responding to today’s reports that two British social workers were so appalled at CYF’s ‘gross professional incompetence’ that they have resigned in protest.

“The story recounted by the social worker in today’s Herald sadly did not surprise me. My office receives many similar stories each week, but sadly the Minister has failed to act.

“CYF has failed to deliver on the Government’s promise that ‘New Zealanders are entitled to know that social workers are competent and practice safely, that poor social work will not be tolerated, and that people will be held accountable in this profession’,” says Mrs Tolley.

Figures obtained by National show just 30% of CYF field social workers are registered with the Social Workers Registration board, the body that was set up to maintain professional standards for social workers.

“This is clearly about more than just two social workers.

“The Minister should take what these British social workers have to say seriously. It’s inexcusable to keep New Zealand’s most vulnerable children waiting indefinitely for something to change.”

Ends

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