Working together with the most vulnerable to grow robust communities: NZCCSS Briefing to the Incoming Government
The unprecedented events of the international financial meltdown define the context of the incoming government. We face the prospect of social meltdown that parallels the financial crisis. Both globally and in this country it is those who have the least wealth who are most immediately vulnerable to the consequences of an economic downturn. Now more than ever it is vitally important in our social, economic and political decision making to recognise that we must look after one another. Jesus’ message Aroha tetahi ki tetahi to “love your neighbour as yourself” is a message to those in political leadership as much as it is to those in everyday life.
NZCCSS calls on the incoming government to join with social service organisations to support and protect the most vulnerable amongst us – our children, our older people, those who are homeless and those in poverty. It is the duty of government to work with communities to grow a stronger future for us all. The medium and long term social costs of not supporting the most vulnerable will far exceed any short term fiscal cost of acting now to look after each other. Read more
Government Departments' Briefings to Incoming Ministers (BIM)
December has seen the release of a huge range of Briefings to Incoming Ministers (BIM)and they can all be accessed on the Beehive website. We have also saved key BIMs our our Publications Library and include links to them below.
Ministry of Social Development
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has produced a series of briefings reflecting the wide range of issues covered and the various Ministerial portfolios supported by its work. The Briefings are listed below and the full document can be downloaded by following the link. NZCCSS will be analysing and summarising the documents as part of its work in the new year.
Social Outcomes: For the first time the Chief Executives of Health, Social Development, Education and Justice have worked together to produce a joint analysis of issues across the whole social sector in their advice for incoming Ministers. It analyses social outcomes between 1994 - 2008, looks ahead to critical social challenges and identifies areas that have the potential to improve social outcomes into the future. Read the full Social Outcomes Briefing.
Policy and Practice: This Briefing reports on the way that MSD approaches its work with children, young peope and their families, with older people and with income & employment for adults. MSD says its work is focused on investing in at-risk children and young people early in life and early in the life of the problem, identifying the challenges of an ageing population and how we can best meet the challenges, and helping people into work as a way out of poverty and supporting those who can't work. MSD also reports on how services need to be delivered to support people to lead safe, rewarding and independent lives. Read the full Policy and Practice Briefing.
Child, Youth and Family (CYF): This briefing talks about how government is trying to tilt the balance away from statutory intervention by CYF towards more prevention and early intervention. The role of CYF is set out and the pressures the Department faces as well as its priorities for the next two years to help make a difference for vulnerable children and young people. Read the full Supporting Children and Young People Briefing.
Office for Disability Issues: Raised expectations and aspirations of disabled people are driving change in social attitudes to disable people, the way support services are provided and delivered. This briefing summarises the current situation and future challenges on the way to the goal of full inclusion in society for disabled people. read the full Enabling participation by disabled New Zealanders Briefing.
Ministry of Youth Development: The Ministry works to make a difference in the lives of 5 - 16 year-olds and seeks to bring their voice into the policy making process. Read the full Working with young people for a better future briefing.
The Office for Senior Citizens (OSC): The OSC briefing looks at the challenges NZ needs to meet to ensure that older people can live where they want and participate in their communities. Meeting growing expectations and ensuring older people know where to go for help are key themes for the briefing. Also covered are improving needs assessments, working with local authorities to make communities friendlier and safer, and supporting older people to continue working for as long as they are able. Read the full briefing New Zealanders: getting older, doing more.
Ministry of Health
Health of Older People: The Ministry of Health briefing discusses population ageing and the likelihood that older people will also be healthier. But the broad focus of the briefing is on five overarching areas: improving value for money, workforce, enabling national and regional planning, improving access and reducing inequalities and long-term conditions. Read the full Briefing for the Incoming Minister of Health.
Housing
The Housing NZ Corporation (HNZC) and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) have both produced briefings. The DBH briefing includes an overview of the building sector that contributes about 5% of Gross Domestic Product as well making the observation that community housing in this country is still in "embryonic" stage. Read the full DBH Briefing for the Minister of Housing. In its briefing HNZC identifies four areas of particular challenge for the Corporation: access to appropriate housing, improving housing quality and community outcomes, and responding to industry and social housing challenges. In the face of an estimated $2 billion in deferred maintenance on state houses, HNZC suggets bringing forward investment in state housing and upgrading existing stock is a way to help maintain capacity in the building and construction sector. Read the full Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Housing.
Select Committee Membership
There are several key select committees that deal with issues relating to social services, including Health, Social Services and Justice.
Social Services Select Committee: The Social Services Committee considers matters relating to housing, senior citizens, social development, veterans’ affairs, and work and income support. For details about its role and current business follow the link to the Parliament website here
Health Select Committee: The Health Committee considers matters relating to health and District Health Boards. For details about its role and current business follow the link to the Parliament website here.
Justice and Electoral Select Committee: The Justice and Electoral Committee considers matters relating to Crown legal and drafting services, electoral matters, human rights, and justice. For details about its role and current business follow the link to the Parliament website here.
NZCCSS regularly makes submissions to these and other select committees on legislation and other issues. Search our Publications Library for copies of some of our previous submissions: Publications
|
