Child, Youth and Family's $216 million New Directions programme will significantly boost the department's performance, says chief executive Jackie Brown.
Details of the programme, which draws on recommendations contained in a report by Youth Court judge Mick Brown, were announced today by the Minister of Social Services and Employment, Steve Maharey.
"Coupled with the extra funding in Budget 2001, New Directions will enable us to do a far better job of helping at-risk children," says Ms Brown.
"We've been determined to lift our performance in the wake of the Brown report. Our successful strategies to reduce unallocated cases are an example of the action we've taken."
Ms Brown says she is confident the extra funding and the results New Directions will deliver will help make Child, Youth and Family an organisation of which New Zealanders will be proud.
"New Directions takes an honest look at our performance and the issues we face. We recognise that we need to change our approach as a whole department if we are to support our staff to achieve better outcomes for families.
"We've been focused on those shorter-term issues in recent years because of heavy demand and stretched resources. Now we'll be working toward helping children and their families in a more comprehensive way and supporting them over time to achieve well- being.
"For example, we'll be concentrating on improving our social work practice and getting different parts of Child, Youth and Family to work together more efficiently. It is also vitally important that we work more closely with community agencies and the public at large to tackle abuse and neglect."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Police announced $100k reward in unsolved disappearance
Police are focusing their investigation on a small group as part of the cold case.