Worries over child strategy

Concerns a government plan for vulnerable children may take resources away from existing community initiatives are unfounded, say MPs.

Wairarapa MP John Hayes held consultation meetings on the White Paper for Vulnerable Children in Waipukurau, Waipawa, Dannevirke, Pahiatua and Masterton this month and yesterday in Featherston.

A Children's Action Plan developed from the White Paper aims to stem child abuse through better information-sharing.

National list MP Katrina Shanks, speaking at the Featherston meeting, said a "lead professional" supported by Ministry of Social Development managers would put the child at the centre of the process, and coordinate people and agencies to stop or prevent abuse.

Masterton Christian Childcare manager Donna Laing, who attended the Masterton meeting, said she was worried about resourcing for the strategy.

"It's happened in the past, they come up with new strategies and projects and take away, covertly or not, from existing places."

Mrs Laing said Strengthening Families, which brings together different agencies and people to come up with a plan for positive change, is already doing the job well in Masterton.

"I do worry about the workload for agencies like ours, who deal with those families not critical but very complex and who've got some serious stuff going on. Where's the support going to be for us?"

Ms Shanks said yesterday the strategy would take a multi-agency approach, building on existing agencies rather than taking resourcing from them.

Speaking at the Featherston meeting, which attracted five people, Wairarapa Labour chairman Keiran McAnulty said he was pleased to see an action plan on child abuse, but it did not address some of the underlying issues. "I would like to see more done to reduce poverty. There's a clear link between the two, and they can't be separate approaches."

Wairarapa MP John Hayes said poverty was a separate issue.

"We're identifying the child in trouble, and not getting sidetracked on esoteric side issues that will not have any effect on the child."

Child Youth and Family site manager Maggie Pryce said the White Paper had "brought up more questions than answers" but was hopeful a child-led process would see robust systems put in place.

"If you put the child at the centre it's very clear what you need to do."