8. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How is Child Youth and Family supporting social services to recognise and respond to signs of child abuse and neglect?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
We have funded the NGO Child Matters to run free 1-day workshops around New Zealand providing training to over 2,000 health, education, and social service professionals in identifying signs of child abuse. Recognising abuse is not obvious; it is not instinctual. Unless we train people to see the signs and ask the right sorts of questions, the abuse is silently allowed to continue. The training includes recognising when children and families are vulnerable, and guidance on what steps to take.
Can she update the House on other initiatives that are part of the Government’s programme of action for vulnerable children?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
The Government’s Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, recently released, is currently receiving public submissions. There have been around 20 community meetings so far to talk about the issues the green paper has raised. Over 30 community forums are planned throughout September, and I welcome anyone who is interested in holding a meeting to get in touch with the Ministry of Social Development so we can provide them with the right kind of material.