Care of vulnerable children at the heart of SSPA conference

Some 150 social and community workers have gathered in Christchurch for the annual conference of Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA), being held on 27 and 28 October.

SSPA represents nearly 200 non-profit agencies contracted by government to work with vulnerable children, young people and families in communities throughout New Zealand.

SSPA national manager Brenda Pilott says the focus of the conference is on the far-reaching changes proposed for the care and protection of children, and what these this willl mean for the work of non-profit agencies.

She says while there is a lot of uncertainty and some well-founded concerns, the sector welcomes the government’s aim to to fully involve children in decisions about their lives, and to extend the age of support for young people as they move into adulthood.

The Minister of Social Development, Anne Tolley, will address the conference tomorrow and can expect many questions about the changes and the proposed new ministry.

Brenda Pilott says she expects conference participants will also question the minister about the new requirement that service providers pass on client information to the Ministry of Social Development.

“This raises a very important and challenging debate about the relationship between the government and non-profit agencies and their clients.”

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