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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced changes to the funding system for Out of School Care (OSCAR) programmes.

“After consultation with and advice from the sector, we’re improving funding so it’s fair and equitable and targeting priority communities for more services.”

The current ‘deficit-based’ funding system has created a perverse incentive as providers get more funding when operating at a loss which can encourage inefficient practise.

“It just didn’t make sense to continue that.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has welcomed a deal which has provided two weeks paid full-time work experience in the Census call centre.

“Work and Income and Telnet agreed on a deal to recruit 222 beneficiaries for the Census call centre, providing valuable on-the-job experience.”

“Sixteen people have already been given fulltime positions as a result,” says Mrs Bennett.

The $43.7 million initiative to provide Gateway Assessments for children in care is making a difference says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

This life-changing government initiative to address health, mental health and educational needs in children in care is picking up serious health issues.

“Children are in State care because they’ve suffered serious abuse or neglect which can have a devastating effect on their health and development.”

There have been no cuts to government funding to the Benefit Advocacy Information Service and the Ministry of Social Development continues to fund this advocacy service in line with other similar organisations.

“Baseline funding for BAIS has increased under National, and is above funding levels it received under Labour,” say Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The number of people on the Domestics Purposes Benefit, Invalids Benefit and Unemployment Benefit all decreased in 2012.

"It will be a surprise to no one that during tough economic times the number of people on benefits increased. The welfare system should be there to support those who need it, and Work and Income were very responsive to those who lost their jobs and needed help," says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today launched the Social Media Innovations Fund with five projects to focus on improving youth mental health.

The Social Media Innovations Fund supports organisations to relate to young people through innovative projects, so they build resilience and get help when they need it.

“These projects will use social media in a smart, savvy way, encouraging young people to reach out and share their worries and concerns and stay connected to those who can help,” says Mrs Bennett.

With a focus on helping people off welfare and into work, benefit numbers have remained below predictions despite the economic conditions.

The number of people on the Unemployment Benefit was predicted to rise to 90,000 as a result of the recession, but peaked at 68,369 in January 2010.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Work and Income, backed by the Government has maintained a strong focus on jobs.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says policy changes introduced through staged welfare reforms are seeing real gains for New Zealanders.

Future Focus, implemented in 2010 as a pre-cursor to major reforms introduced clear obligations and greater fairness to the benefits system.

Future Focus changes include requiring:

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has taken Ministerial leadership of the sexual violence sector which currently sits across several portfolios.

It’s an important step reflecting the importance of the work sexual violence service providers do and the difficulties they face.

“The sector has struggled and I think a big part of the problem is that they don’t have a single Minister to look to for leadership, so I’m prepared to take on that responsibility,” says Mrs Bennett

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett leaves for Washington DC today where she is the keynote speaker at a home visiting conference next week.

“It’s a real privilege to be asked to talk about the New Zealand experience with home visiting programmes like Family Start,” says Mrs Bennett.

Family Start is New Zealand’s most intensive and expensive home visiting programme designed to help at-risk children and families.

“It’s vital we get this service right for our most vulnerable children.”

More than 8150 people went off welfare into jobs in Work and Income’s Southern region over the last year.

The Southern Region includes South Canterbury, Central Otago, Otago and Southland.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on Unemployment Benefits in the Southern region dropped by 18 percent over 2012, down to 4,086.

“The Southern region has continued to show resilience in the face of a difficult job market nationwide,” says Mrs Bennett.

More than 6450 people went off welfare into work in Waikato last year.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on Unemployment Benefits in the region dropped 3.5 percent to 3699 in 2012.

“The job market has been patchy since the global recession, but Work and Income staff have worked hard to get people into jobs.”

The Future Build Programme run in partnership with Wintec, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation and local employers, helped 19 Waikato beneficiaries into jobs.

More than 4800 people went off welfare to take up jobs in Work and Income’s Central region over the last year.

The Central Region covers Kapiti, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Tararua and the Manawatu.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on Unemployment Benefits in the region dropped by 7.8 percent over the year in 2012, down to 3,765.

The Crown today signed a Social Development Accord with Te Hiku o Te Ika as part of the iwi Treaty Settlement.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says this Accord commits the Crown and government agencies to work with Te Hiku to improve social outcomes for the iwi hapū and whanau.

The Ministry of Social Development is the responsible agency for implementing the Accord which was signed by Prime Minister John Key.

“Ten Government agencies will be working alongside Te Hiku to determine what intervention is needed before doing the work together.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has acknowledged Carl Davidson’s contribution to families as Chief Families Commissioner.

Carl Davidson steps down from the position he has held since August 2010 to focus on his own family and work in Christchurch.

Mrs Bennett says Carl Davidson has done an outstanding job as Chief Families Commissioner, bringing a level of professionalism to the organisation and elevating its role publicly.

“I thank him for his valuable contribution and wish him well in the future.”