Gráinne's update - December 2017

We’ve built on foundations set by the formation of the new Ministry, and we’re building partnerships to change how children are supported.

Children’s wellbeing has remained topical this year and that’s exciting.

From early next year we'll be known as Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children, reflecting our aspirational approach for children.

Our own values and vision for New Zealand are becoming more and more deeply rooted in our work, and we’re working hard to attract and hire quality social workers who align with these.

We’ve had significant interest in our vacancies and have been able to hire many new social workers. And we’re not done yet! We’ll keep upping capability and capacity so there is consistent high quality front line practice.

There’s no reason we can’t deliver absolutely world class support to tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and communities.

Our new Practice Framework will help us to get the basics right to begin with.
 

Our Safety of children in care research highlighted the importance of the work we are doing to improve the safety of children and young people in care. We simply must make sure this happens, so this is now a focus.

It’s also so important that we make sure that each and every tamariki we are connected with is supported to thrive. I attended our 2017 William Wallace award ceremony and our recipients made one thing very clear - there are no limits when it comes to reaching your potential, even in the face of adversity.

In order to thrive, children need to be safe and comfortable in loving homes. So, opening more hearts and homes is our number one task now.

Look out for our new caregiving stories on Facebook. We're on a mission to find more people with caring hearts and support them to look after tamariki. The most important job in the world. 

Ngā mihi

Gráinne