MEDIA RELEASE

11 October 2012

Jigsaw Says White Paper is a Comprehensive Plan for Children

The children’s advocacy group Jigsaw says the White Paper released today is a comprehensive plan to enhance the wellbeing of vulnerable children.

The White Paper is being launched this morning at Jigsaw’s national conference at Te Papa in Wellington, in front of Jigsaw’s network of more than 42 social service providers and other organisations.

Jigsaw’s co-chief executives Sally Christie and Tau Huirama say it’s pleasing to see better information sharing on the Government’s agenda, through the introduction of a Vulnerable Kids Information System. “We all need to be smarter about how we work together so that children don’t slip through the net,” says Sally Christie.

“The White Paper’s intention is that the new system will be secure, with passwords and monitoring built in, which will be reassuring for families,” she says.

Jigsaw is also pleased that there will be comprehensive training for public sector professionals such as teachers and doctors to correctly recognise the signs of abuse and neglect and know what action to take.

Tau Huirama says it is a comprehensive plan. “The White Paper encompasses most of the things we have been saying for a long time. Things like information sharing, providing iwi-approved caregivers, a public awareness campaign for communities and how to work with serious adult offenders.”

“The White Paper will also be enacted in legislation through the introduction of a Vulnerable Children’s Bill, which shows the Government’s taking this issue seriously.”

Tau Huirama says this paper is a positive launching pad to make a difference for our most vulnerable children.

“Jigsaw and its partner agencies are now keen to work with the Government on the detail of how this plan can be implemented,” Tau says.

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