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

Submissions argued for this review regardless of the type of governance and leadershiparrangements presently in place. Submissions called for increased funding to existing successfulinitiatives and NGOs (for example, early childhood centres, Plunket, Whānau Ora, Rape Crisis,Teen Parent Units, counselling services) as well as for new initiatives to support vulnerablechildren and their families. There were also calls to bring back services that have had fundingcut (for example, child advocates), as well as support for champions and leaders in communitieswho could bring about change.A review of government spending is paramount to increasing better outcomes forvulnerable children and preventing others from becoming vulnerable. The Governmentmust ensure that sufficient funding is allocated to this critical issue. (NGO)Improved funding arrangements: Some submissions suggested longer-term funding (coupledwith strong accountability arrangements) should be granted to NGOs. They argued this wouldallow continuity and the development of services. Submissions recognised that funding dictatedthe availability, extent and quality of service. Submissions argued for a greater investment inchildren as a proportion of overall government spending. Some noted the investment wassmall compared proportionally to other OECD countries, while others noted areas from wherefunding could be taken.Funding of community initiatives needs to be long term and secure across electoralboundaries. (NGO)New Zealand government spending on children is considerably less than the OECDaverage. The biggest shortfall is for spending on young children, where New Zealandspends less than half the OECD average. (other organisation)Themes about funding were raised in a large minority of community meetings, followed bysubmissions from other organisations and NGOs. Frontline workers and the general publicwere least likely to raise funding as an issue.We agree with their view that “just throwing money around” will not resolve the complexissues of neglect, abuse, failure to thrive and poverty facing many of our children.However we do believe that many of our key relevant child support services are currentlyunder resourced, staff overworked and highly stressed with a focus on solely managingthe “crisis”. (NGO)Champions and leaders within communities need to be resourced to bring peopletogether to effect change. Cash [should be] available in communities to resource theleadership, networking, consultation and implementation of community processes.(general public)Family has primary responsibility for vulnerable children: A small minority of submissionsargued that families have primary responsibility for vulnerable children. This argument did notnecessarily oppose the view that communities have a role to play, rather they emphasised theimportance of family as the main source of care and support for children. This argument wasmost likely to be made by submissions from other organisations and community meetings,with less support from other submitter types.72 Share Responsibility