September 01, 2015
Compulsory registration for social workers call
Labour wants to see compulsory registration of social workers in the wake of a critical report from the Children's Commissioner into failings at Child Youth and Family.
Maori Development spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says Social Development Minister Ann Tolley is playing politics by refusing to back a members bill from Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni.
She says while government agencies have a high level of registered social workers, there are many other organsiations including schools and social service providers who can't give a similar level of quality assurance.
Ms Mahuta says the Children's Commissioner has highlighted the need for systemic chance in Minister Tolley's department, which will increase the need for more of the work to be done in the community.
"Now if we had registered social workers we have got a high level of quality professional support working alongside whanau and community organisations and providers, to be able to ensure we don't have kids going down through the pipeline of Child Youth and Family," she says.
Ms Mahuta says the Children's Commissioner has shown things can be done differently, and there are real opportunities for community and Maori providers in that.
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