Birthright's Submission on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children

The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children is a discussion paper launched by the Government to give people and communities a say on how New Zealand can better protect abused, neglected and disadvantaged children.

Birthright has made a submission on the Green Paper as follows:

17 February 2012
Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development & Youth Affairs
PO Box 1556
Wellington
 
Dear Minister,

Green Paper for Vulnerable Children

Birthright is a National organisation that is dedicated to assisting single parent families.  Birthright offers practical assistance as well as specific services to the families and its focus is children and young people.

Birthright was established in 1955 and is still thriving, with 15 autonomous member societies operating throughout New Zealand.  Although the emphasis may have changed over the years in response to the changing political and social climate, the needs of single parents are still the same. 

Birthright currently spends annually in excess of $3 million plus a large number of volunteer hours in helping single parent families.

Birthright is invited and welcomed into the homes of our client families because it is trusted and non threatening.

Our submission is as follows:-
1.         Birthright wishes to see positive publicity regarding successful programmes and successes with children and parents given more prominence. Success stories have a powerful impact on improving the lives of disadvantaged children and removing the stigmatisation attached to their plight.
 
2.         Birthright believes in the shared responsibility approach to support vulnerable families. There is a need for communities of all ethnicities to be encouraged to meet, socialise and work together, as the support from neighbours and family is vital in the early intervention process.
 
3.         Birthright encourages the further development of privacy laws particularly in the area of information sharing.
 
4.         Birthright believes early intervention is the key. This should be achieved by providing programmes for young teenagers as part of the education curriculum on parenting alone, developing self esteem, managing children and preventing violence.  Birthright could have a role in the development and delivery of such programmes for the parents of tomorrow.
 
5.         The child’s voice must be heard and incorporated in policy making . Birthright has many examples of children not being listened to or where their voice has been heard it has been ignored.  All agencies  must be provided with guidelines that are seen to be fair, ethical, accessible and timely.
 
Birthright is prepared to participate actively in forums or committees that might arise from the Green Paper and in the development of pilot programmes.

Birthright is excited with this Government initiative and sees only positive results that will benefit our children and families in the future.

Yours sincerely
 
John R. Donaghy
NZ Manager