The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children - Ministry of Social ...

Q&AVulnerable child-first allocation policy:Question and answer submissionsIs it appropriate that all Government agencies promoteand prioritise the wellbeing of vulnerable children in theirday-to-day work?Support for prioritising vulnerable children: Of the responses to thisquestion, almost all submissions said it would be appropriate for allgovernment agencies to promote and prioritise the wellbeing of vulnerable children in theirday-to-day work.Yes absolutely, with the initial priority on babies and preschool children as they are themost vulnerable of all. (general public).Submissions agreeing with this proposition included those that emphasised:• the importance of valuing children in their own right and respecting the rights of children• the link between the quality of experiences children have when young to the sorts of adultschildren become, and the sort of society we have in the future.Concerns about prioritising vulnerable children: A small minority of submissions qualifiedtheir agreement, arguing agencies should only prioritise the wellbeing of vulnerable childrenin certain instances. These instances included:• when other children do not miss out• when all sources of vulnerability are recognised, and vulnerability is not just based ondemographics• when it is done in a way that does not stigmatise families.No. Prioritisation is difficult. How do you prioritise and on what basis? I believe thatuniversal funding, not targeted funding, is important. Targeting increases alienationand stigmatisation. (frontline worker)Should some people get priority over others when allocated supportand services because they are caring for vulnerable children?Support priority for carers: The majority of submissions answering this question statedtheir support for the idea. Most submissions understood “carers” to be any adults, includingparents and whānau, who are guardians of children. Other submissions understood “carers”to be people caring for children after the state has removed them from their family because ofconcerns for their safety, including foster parents and Child, Youth and Family residential carers.NGOs were most likely to state their support for prioritising carers for services, followed byfrontline workers, and then the general public. Submissions in favour of prioritisation madethe following arguments:• supporting the family is the most effective way of supporting the child• the most “at-risk” or “in need” should receive the top priority122 Make Child-Centred Policy Changes