CYFS beefs up support for frontline workers

By CATHERINE MASTERS

The state's child protection agency, Child, Youth and Family Services, has had a shake-up just weeks before a former judge is due to report on the department to the Government.

While Judge Mick Brown's report could lead to further restructuring, the agency says the changes revealed yesterday are purely operational and designed to beef up management support for frontline social workers.

A spokesman said it was intended to boost Child, Youth and Family's ability to protect children.

A small number of staff could be made redundant in the process but no frontline social workers would lose their jobs.

The spokesman understood that the restructuring - due to be in place by June - would not pre-empt Judge Brown's comprehensive report because that was looking at different parts of the department, such as how it responded to notifications and how children were placed.

Yesterday's announcement caused ripples among staff, with some contacting the Herald to say that another shake-up would contribute to a lack of confidence in the service.

It was felt that the latest development might lead to more social workers quitting.

But CYFS chief executive Jackie Brown said the new system would improve service to clients and help social workers.

"Our frontline staff do an enormous amount of excellent work under intense pressure.

"By strengthening the quality of direct oversight of social workers, we'll support them better in their difficult jobs and boost our ability to help at-risk children."

The changes involve reducing what the service calls "administrative areas" across the country - from 13 to six - with 38 practice manager positions being introduced to strengthen administration of social work.

It is hoped that any staff losing their present jobs will be accommodated in the new structure.

Within the administrative areas are 51 site offices, and they are not due to change.

An administrative area is a geographical area, such as Auckland, which is now split into Central and South Auckland.

The aim of reducing the areas is to take management decision-making as close to the frontline as possible.

"It is therefore a very positive response to the difficult child protection issues the department has faced over the past few years," Jackie Brown said.

The Minister of Social Services, Steve Maharey, said the changes had been discussed since the beginning of the year.

He described it as "fairly minor tweaking," although important to boosting the performance of social workers.

"The aim is to put resources into frontline staff as part of our professionalisation programme," said Mr Maharey.

Judge Brown's report is expected to be ready by Christmas.

Mr Maharey has indicated that he will study it over the holiday period.

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