Releases

Minister for Social Development and Minister for Children Anne Tolley says the introduction of mandatory registration for social workers will increase their skills and professionalism so they can better support New Zealanders. “Social workers play a crucial role in supporting our most vulnerable New Zealanders. They are increasingly dealing with children, young people, adults and families with complex high needs,” says Mrs Tolley. ...

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley today visited the clean-up teams in Edgecumbe which have successfully completed their second week of work. “The Government has provided up to $500,000 of Enhanced Taskforce Green funding to employ people to assist Whakatane District Council with the clean-up,” says Mrs Tolley. "Three clean-up teams have been working hard over the last two weeks to clear debris from Edgecumbe township and surrounding public spaces, including Thornton Beach Reserve, Edgecumbe Domain and local playgrounds.

Minister for Children Anne Tolley has today launched the Parenting Resource, a new website to help parents give their children the best start in life. “This resource will help people develop effective parenting skills so they can provide loving, healthy environments where their children can grow into confident adults,” says Mrs Tolley. “It brings together a wide range of information, including practical resources, tips and academic research, and offers support right from pregnancy through to three years of age.

Budget 2017 invests $64.4 million of new operating funding to help people move off benefits and into work, Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says. “A proactive approach to supporting clients to prepare for employment has seen the number of people receiving a main benefit continue to fall,” Mrs Tolley says. “The proportion of the population on a main benefit is the lowest it’s been in a March quarter since 1997, at 9.6 per cent. ...

The Government will be advising social service providers that their new contracts will not require the collection of individual client level data until a new data protection and use policy is in place, say Social Investment Minister Amy Adams and Minister for Children Anne Tolley. “Our Social Investment approach is about intervening earlier to help change lives for the better. We want to be working alongside providers on ways data sources can help ensure our most vulnerable New Zealanders are getting access to the services that they need,” Ms Adams says.