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

Zero tolerance for abuse! Start with the early years – this does need more.(frontline worker)Compulsory ECE from age 2.5. (general public)A minority of submissions suggested other priorities for the early years, including:• developing positive attachment to a primary caregiver• helping people understand the importance of early interaction• providing a stable home environment.Primary school-age: For primary school-age children, submissions said health, safety andeducation were all of similar priority. Each priority was supported by a large minority ofsubmissions.School visits at least once per week from a nurse and/or GP with vulnerable childrenidentified by teachers and given first priority for these visits. (general public)…teaching them that it is NOT ok for anyone to ever abuse them and how to seek help.(general public)Providing environments where they can learn and become passionate about learningso that good habits are initiated early. (frontline worker)A minority of submissions suggested other priorities for school-age children, includingproviding mentoring and counselling services.Adolescence: At the adolescent level, a large minority of submissions said that education andemployment should be the priority. A minority of submissions said health and safety should bethe priority for adolescents.Adolescents to be supported in every way to become well trained or highly educatedyoung adults. Don’t let them not study or work, but also provide the necessary financial/etc support if they are better off living away from risky families. (general public)Mental health supports for adolescents. (frontline worker)Ensuring they are removed from an abusing environment and placed in care,remembering that foster care within the family is not always the best option regardlessof how fitting family members are. (general public)A minority of submissions suggested other priorities for adolescents, including support fortransitions, encouraging a sense of belonging and self-esteem, and addressing New Zealand’shigh teenage pregnancy rate.Reduce poverty: A minority of submissions suggested the main priority across the differentage groups should be to reduce child poverty.Priorities are that children of all ages have enough food in their stomachs so thattheir brains are able to function at school, ensuring their success not only in the short,but also the long-term. All children need to have access to warm, healthy homes sothat their bodies and minds are healthy, strong. (frontline worker)82 Show Leadership