Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 results.

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says a new trial will start next week for direct purchasing and brokerage of services for children and young people in care or at risk of coming into care.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Mandatory registration for social workers is a step closer today with the Bill passing its first reading in Parliament, says Minister for Social Development and Minister for Children Anne Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children
  • Social Development

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says a new pilot which provides semi-independent accommodation and life skills for young people transitioning out of care will provide young people with more support.

“Young people in care have told us that they need options for where they can live as they transition out of care,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The Ministry is working in partnership with three providers in Auckland and Wellington to pilot a new supported living arrangement for young people.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki is working with iwi to strengthen whānau connections and improve children and whānau participation in decision-making.

“There are a number of initiatives underway to build stronger connections with iwi to ensure children and young people are connected to their whānau and have safe, loving, stable homes,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

The second stage of major reform to New Zealand’s care and protection system reached a key milestone today with the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill passing its third reading, says Minister for Children Anne Tolley.

“I am proud to see the passing of this critical legislation which will provide the foundations for a child-centred care and protection system,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says a new handbook brings together information about universal health and education services, making it easier for caregivers to find the information they need to access services.

“Caregivers are an essential part of the support we provide for vulnerable children and young people in care, ensuring that they have safe and loving homes,” says Mrs Tolley.

“We know that children and young people in care do not access universal health and education services at the same rates as those who are not in care.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says a total of $49 million is being invested in Budget 2017 to boost Family Start, an intensive home visiting programme.

Mrs Tolley today visited Ngati Awa Social and Health Services, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau and Te Pou Oranga o Whakatohea in Whakatane. This additional funding will help all three providers extend their Family Start programme into rural areas in the Bay of Plenty.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children
  • Budget 2017

The second stage of major reform to New Zealand’s care and protection system took a step forward in Parliament today, says Minister for Children Anne Tolley.

“This Bill is the second significant step in our major reform programme towards a more child-centred care system which will improve the outcomes for vulnerable children and young people,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says a new after-hours support service is being piloted to provide advice and support to caregivers of children and young people in care.

“Caregivers have said they want more targeted help to support them in their role of caring for children and young people in care,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Budget 2017 invests $26.4 million to support around 4,500 caregivers of children in care, as well as help for those caring for higher needs children.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says nominations are open for the 2017 William Wallace Awards which recognises outstanding achievements by young people in care.

“The William Wallace Awards are a good opportunity to recognise the achievements of young people in care or those who have recently come out of care,” says Mrs Tolley.

“I encourage caregivers, social workers and community representatives to nominate young people in care who are working hard towards their goals and aspirations.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

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.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development
  • Children

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.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Budget 2017 invests significantly to support vulnerable children and young people in care through the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki, Minister for Children Anne Tolley says.

Budget 2017 funding is made up of $424.4 million operating over the next four years, $2.3 million in 2016/17, and $7.5 million capital.

$26.4 million will be invested to support around 4,500 caregivers of children in care, as well as help for those caring for higher needs children.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children
  • Budget 2017

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.

  • Amy Adams
  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Investment
  • Children

Budget 2017 invests an extra $68.8 million over four years to support vulnerable children and their families, say Minister for Children Anne Tolley and Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

This is part of the Government’s $321 million Social Investment Package announced by Prime Minister Bill English today.

The package includes:

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Anne Tolley
  • Education
  • Children
  • Budget 2017

Minister for Children Anne Tolley and Associate Minister for Children Alfred Ngaro welcome today’s official launch of VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai - the independent advocacy service for children and young people in state care.

“VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is an important part of the Government’s overhaul of our care and protection system,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Alfred Ngaro
  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley has welcomed today’s official launch of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki.

“It’s important our vulnerable children and young people have a safe, stable and loving home so they can go on to lead successful lives,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says she intends to write to Parliament’s Social Services Committee to propose changing the name of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 (the CYPF Act) to the Oranga Tamariki Act, to reflect the nature and wide-reaching scope of changes that are taking place through the overhaul of care and protection.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says that extraordinary foster care families have been celebrated at an awards ceremony at Government House, as Foster Care Awareness week comes to an end.

Ten foster care families received awards for their dedication and devotion to supporting vulnerable children and young people at the Excellence in Foster Care ceremony, which was hosted by the Governor General, the Rt Hon Patsy Reddy.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley says that events are being held all around New Zealand this Sunday to celebrate Children’s Day, as Foster Care Awareness week gets under way.

“Sunday will mark the 17th annual Children’s Day, as we celebrate our youngest New Zealanders,” says Mrs Tolley.

“This is all about spending time with our children, having fun, praising and encouraging them, and focusing on giving them the opportunity to thrive.”

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children

Minister for Children Anne Tolley has welcomed New Zealand’s first independent connection and advocacy service for children and young people in care, which will be called VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Children