Review of CYF social worker caseloads and complexity
Tue 16 Jul 2013
Labour Party Social Development spokesperson Jacinda Ardern has called for a 'baseline review' of Child, Youth and Family (CYF) to address systemic ...
Labour Party Social Development spokesperson Jacinda Ardern has called for a 'baseline review' of Child, Youth and Family (CYF) to address systemic problems. After delayed responses to critical child abuse cases, she said, "Given mounting evidence of the strain CYF is under I believe it’s time the Government took a serious look at its resourcing and processes".
The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) says the number of notifications made to CYF has quadrupled in the last eight years. Chief executive Lucy Sandford-Reed said social workers could not meet the demand or higher standards of investigation as cases become more complex and difficult. CYF now receives an average of 400 reports of suspected abuse or neglect every day. CYF General Manager of Operations, Paula Attrill, acknowledged this is putting strain on frontline workers, however CYF defended response times, saying they are better than they have ever been.
CYF has partnered with the Public Service Association to conduct an internal workload review. Increased workloads, case complexity and higher standards of investigation are identified as contributing to pressures on social worker caseloads. The review will assess the volume of work, the complexity of notifications and follow-up. Public Service Association National Secretary, Brenda Pilot, is hopeful the review will result in meaningful change. "It should result in some very useful information which will show whether more funding, resources and staff are needed or whether there is a need for change in the way cases are allocated and managed," she said.
Media:
CYF staff under growing pressure, stress, 3 News, 18.09.2013
Parents fear errors amd foster children's file delays, NZ Herald, 30.07.2013
Social workers in an extra 385 schools, Media release: Paula Bennett, 21.07.2013
CYF social workers caseloads more than double expected average, Radio New Zealand, 12.07.2013
Child welfare need workable caseloads - advocate, Radio New Zealand, 12.07.2013
CYF workload review timely - PSA, Voxy, 11.07.2013
Govt questioned over CYF response, Radio New Zealand, 10.07.2013
Social worker body says CYF staff under pressure, Radio New Zealand, 02.07.2013
Image: Baby Foot by Johan Doe.
Image: Johan Doe