MEDIA RELEASE 22 April 2013

Confidential Listening And Assistance Service Extension Welcomed

Extending the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service until 2015 will benefit the hundreds of people who have concerns about their treatment while in State care says Chair Judge Carolyn Henwood.

“I am very pleased with the government’s decision to continue our funding through until 2015,” she said today.

“It is a recognition of the positive impact the Service has had and allows more time for the remaining 250 registered participants to meet with us. It also allows time for any unregistered people to contact us before registrations are closed in the next few months”

The Confidential Listening and Assistance Service was established in 2008 to provide a forum for people to talk about their experiences while in State care before 1992 and voice their concerns about abuse, neglect, or the way in which they were treated.

Judge Henwood said the Service has a skilled panel and team with the experience and knowledge needed to address participants’ needs.

“Our people have built up a level of experience over the past three years. The process we have developed is sound and the high level of pastoral care we provide has contributed to improving the wellbeing of participants.”

The success of Confidential Listening and Assistance Service was recognised in 2012 when the Service and partner agencies, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education, won the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand award for “Working Together for Better Services” and the Prime Minister’s Award for Public Sector Excellence.

The Service operates as an independent entity and receives administrative support from the Department of Internal Affairs.

People can find out more about the Service via the website www.listening.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 356 567.

ENDS

© Scoop Media