Monday 30 July 2012, 3:18PM
Media release from Social development minister Paula
Bennett
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced the
planned release of the White Paper for Vulnerable Children and
public submissions.
"The solutions in this paper are detailed, far reaching and will
affect every New Zealander - this is the most significant advance
in the protection of children this country has ever seen," says Mrs
Bennett.
"The work on this began with public consultation on the Green
Paper, which resulted in nearly 10,000 public submissions, making
it one of the most comprehensive public consultation
processes."
The submissions are vital to this substantial work to better
protect children.
"The public submissions are a rich resource and I believe it's
important to share them so we will release these in summary form
and substantial submissions in full."
Submissions include the voices of around 2,000 children and young
people.
Before any individual submissions can be released it is important
any privacy concerns and sensitive personal information are taken
into account.
The White Paper is on track and will lay out a way forward for
better protecting our vulnerable children. It will now be released
in October.
"This just gives us a few extra weeks to ensure the final paper is
comprehensive and robust," says Mrs Bennett.
The White Paper for Vulnerable Children is a detailed and complex
document involving children, parents, community, government
departments, non-government organisations, volunteers and
professionals.
Timeline for release:
14 August - executive summary and full summary of
submissions
14 August - around 600 full submissions from non-government and
other organisations
14 August - transcribed voices of around 2,000 children and young
people
12 October - White Paper for Vulnerable Children
Some of the areas the White Paper addresses include:
responsibility for children, information sharing, targeting
services, monitoring, services and collaboration.
A team of people read, analysed and collated nearly 10,000 Green
Paper submissions, with many more officials and experts across
government agencies tasked with developing the Paper.
Minister Bennett held 17 public meetings for the Green Paper tour,
in towns and cities from Kaitaia to Invercargill, engaging with
several hundred people.
More information can be found at: www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz