Briefing to the Government - January 2021 - Barnardos
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Briefing to the Government January 2021
2
Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
INTRODUCTION |
KUPU WHAKATAKI
This Briefing introduces Barnardos and
outlines the key priorities we are asking the
Government to focus on during its current
term. This includes strengthening essential
supporting systems, to achieve positive
outcomes for children and whānau.
This Briefing serves as a basis for the work we can do together across
Barnardos, Government and other partners during the years ahead,
building on the common ground that already exists. This includes
managing the risks and opportunities presented by COVID-19, by
working differently and being nimble. We look forward to a deepening
relationship to enable these outcomes together, and to working with all
Government Ministers with portfolio responsibilities relating to children,
rangatahi, whānau, community social services and early learning, and
with government agency officials.
As we reflect on the past year, COVID-19 has presented challenges for
Aotearoa and Barnardos as an organisation. As part of the Team of
Five Million, Barnardos, with the support of our staff, partners and key
stakeholders, managed the challenges effectively and played a key
role in the COVID-19 response. We remain committed to responding
to the needs of communities, families, whānau and children that are
ahead in the coming months and years. We know that demand will
be great and the needs complex. We continue working in partnership
with Government, whānau and communities to positively support the
wellbeing of current and future generations of mokopuna.
Poipoia te kākano kia puawai
Nurture the seed and it will grow
3
THE COMMON GROUND
BETWEEN US | TE WHENUA
NOA I WAENGANUI I A
MĀTOU
In 2021, Aotearoa stands at a Getting things right for the youngest
generations among us and their families and
critical moment, a tipping point, for whānau is a crucial part of this recovery – from
children, tamariki, young people, both social and economic perspectives.
rangatahi, families and whānau. At Barnardos, we work every day throughout
We also find ourselves in a rapidly the motu together with children and their
changing world. Aotearoa and families and whānau to shape brighter
futures. Our vision, ‘An Aotearoa New Zealand
Barnardos are both positioning where every child shines bright’ is a bold but
ourselves to best respond to and necessary one. It has much in common with the
recover from the impact of the vision of the Labour-led Government under the
leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to
global pandemic. Given the people- make New Zealand “the best place in the world
centred, science-based, public to be a child”.
health approach taken through New The collective goal of supporting children
Zealand’s response to COVID-19, and whānau can be achieved by working
we have a very strong basis to build in partnership with Government, other key
stakholders and Iwi, hapū and kaupapa Māori
from, and to make change together organisations. By building on the common
with and for Aotearoa’s children and ground that exists between us, significant
whānau. progress can be made. Progress towards
ensuring Aotearoa is a place where childhood is
a positive time in life, for all tamariki, and where
families and whānau support their mokopuna
to thrive, and to be positive contributors to
Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT
WE DO | KEI A MĀTOU E
MAHI ANA PENEI
Barnardos works across three
strategic and operational spaces:
Advocacy
At the systems-level for the rights and needs of children and tamariki, grounded in
what we know from the work we do every day, and what children, rangatahi and
whānau tell us.
Child and Family Services
Providing help for children, rangatahi and whānau facing the toughest times, from
universally accessible services through to tailored, intensive support.
Early Learning Services
Providing Centre and Home Based early learning services for children and their
whānau, and creating strong foundations for the future.
Barnardos’ unique strength as an organisation is We are building towards An Aotearoa where
in the provision of our continuum of services to every child shines bright both through our
whānau, utilising the combination of disciplines work directly together with individual children,
and approaches amongst our workforce. When rangatahi and whānau, and at the overarching
working with children, rangatahi and whānau systemic level. We take a mana-enhancing
in difficult and complex situations, we take a approach to our work with children and families.
trauma-informed approach. This enables us to We approach our Advocacy in a positive,
support, understand and effectively work with solutions-oriented way, leading with a vision for
them to achieve postive outcomes now and into the lives of tamariki and rangatahi focusing on
the future. their strengths and potential. We bring policy-
based and practical solutions to the table.
By both serving and advocating for our communities, we contribute
to the wellbeing of children and whānau in multiple ways, every day.
5
Barnardos provides a broad
continuum of services.
We walk alongside whānau for the whole childhood journey,
and beyond. The graphic below shows the broad continuum of
ways Barnardos’ works to support children and whānau, from the
prevention space to out of home care:
PREVENTION EARLY HELP TARGETED SUPPORT &
‘IN NEED SERVICES’
Te Korowai Mokopuna Family Start
LEAP targeted support
Bumps to Babies Social Workers in Schools
Intensive Wraparound Service
Parenting through Separation Strengthening Famililes
Teen Parent Support Services
Active Dads HIPPY
Children’s Safety Programme
0800 What’s Up national Parenting Programmes
children’s helpline
Women’s Safety & Strengthening Safety
Programmes
Barnardos Early Learning Services
Integrated Safety Response
Ngā Pou Tuarongo
Family Breakdown Assessment Service
Supervised Contact Service
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Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
INTENSIVE INTERVENTION OUT OF HOME CARE, TRANSITIONS
& SUPPORT & REUNIFICATION SUPPORT
LEAP intensive support Te Poutama Ārahi Rangatahi
Paiheretanga intensive in-home support Specialist Family Group Homes
1 : 1 Specialist care
Foster Care
7
Te Ika-a-Māui
North Island Services Map
Whangārei
Turua
Whangārei Office
Turua
Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland Kirikiriroa
Hamilton
Cranwell Park
Henderson Te Tōtara
Pakuranga Te Rapa
Māngere
Clendon Hamilton Office
Manurewa
Ōtara Te Whare Tūrama
Te Whare Turama O Whakawhiti
North Shore
West Auckland
East Auckland
South Auckland
Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa
Auckland Central North West (Te Atatū) Gisborne
Auckland South (Wiri) Gisborne
Te Whare Kōtare Gisborne Office
Te Whare Haerenga
Te Whare Tūmanako
Onehunga Office
Taranaki
New Plymouth Office
Hāwera Office Te Papaioea
Palmerston North
Upper North
Palmerston North
Whanganui
Feilding
Whanganui Palmerston North Lower North
Whanganui Office Palmerston North Office
Kāpiti Coast
Kāpiti Office
Te Matau-a-Māui
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Hawke’s Bay
Wellington
Hastings
Porirua
Lower Hutt Napier Office
Wainuiomata
Petone
Eastbourne
Wellington Central
Horowhenua
Porirua Levin
Upper Hutt Foxton
Lower Hutt Levin
Wellington
Levin/Horowhenua Office
Te Whare Āwhina
Te Whare Akhua
Lower Hutt Office
National Office
Barnardos is a national organisation, and we take a locally-informed and connected approach to our
work. We seek to shape systemic change for and with children, and to help ensure this is long-lasting
and sustainable. Barnardos’ people are a crucial part of their local communities. We have approximately
740 multidisciplinary staff, including kaiako, social workers, child and youth mental health professionals,
youth workers, specialist counsellors, kaimanaki whānau workers and child advocates.
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Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
Te Waipounamu
South Island Services Map
Whakatū
Nelson
Nelson Office
Waiharakeke
Blenheim
Blenheim Office
Ōtautahi
Christchurch
Te Puna Oraka Kaikōura
Hornby Pasifika
Kaikōura
Rangiora
Christchurch
Tāne Whakapiripiri
Te Whare Whakaruruhau
Te Whare Wawata
Te Poutama Ārahi Rangatahi
Kaiapoi
Northfield Office
Hakatere
Ashburton
Ashburton
Tirau
Cromwell
Cromwell
Te Tihi-o-Maru
Cromwell Timaru
Timaru Office
Geraldine
Maruawai Temuka
Gore Timaru
Gore
Riversdale
Tapanui Te Oha-a-Maru
Gore Oamaru
Oamaru Office
Oamaru
Waihōpai
Invercargill Oamaru
Invercargill
Invercargill Office
Ōtepoti
Dunedin
Dunedin Office
Barnardos Early Learning Child and Family Services &
Office Barnardos Early Learning
Shared Office
Barnardos Early Learning
Centre Child and Family Services
Office
Barnardos Early Learning
Home Based
Specialist Group Home
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Barnardos’ work is guided by
strong values and principles
Our poutama, ‘Kia eke ai te taitamariki ki ngā rangi tūhaha’ captures the essence of our
approach to our mahi. We work with children, rangatahi and whānau, and whanaungatanga
underpins our work. We strive to be a contributor to building nurturing relationships and
resilient households and communities. We understand the importance of children having a
strong sense of belonging, healthy and enduring relationships, and a sense of hope for their
future, that of their whānau and our collective future.
Strong and resilient whānau are key enablers of positive tamariki outcomes. Indeed, the
majority of tamariki tell us that what they want most is to grow up with strong whānau
connections, enduring relationships, to be loved, safe, and free from harm.
Barnardos kaimahi reflect our Guiding Principles (see below) in action through their mahi
every day, and are deeply committed to Barnardos’ vision.
We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa. We take
our obligations under Te Tiriti seriously. We work diligently to ensure our mahi with whānau,
tamariki, rangatahi, and communities reflects that Barnardos can be considered a trusted
partner.
KOTAHITANGA KAIKŌKIRITANGA MAHI TŌTIKA
UNITY PROGRESS DO THE RIGHT
We build reciprocal and WITH PURPOSE THINGS WELL
cooperative relationships We are visionary, we We do the right things
which create a sense inspire, we are creative the right way, with
of connection and and show initiative to integrity and purpose.
belonging. make change happen.
ĀTA WHAKARONGO MĀIATANGA
HEAR WITH INTENT REALISE POTENTIAL
We listen carefully and We have the courage
our actions are guided and strength to achieve
by the voices of the growth, development
tamariki, families, and and transformation.
whānau we serve.
10Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
Working in collaborative partnership is
central to how we work at Barnardos
Our mahi is enabled by the contracted partnerships we have with Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of
Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development and District Health Boards, and by the
generous support of our individual supporters, corporate partners and philanthropic donors.
We advocate at the systems level in our own right and in partnership with others. In the lead-up
to the 2020 General Election we collectively ran the Five to Thrive campaign www.fivetothrive.nz
advocating for five key ‘asks’ to get the basics right for children, together with Te Kahui Mana Ririki,
Whānau Awhina Plunket, and Save the Children New Zealand.
We are a member of Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA), the Children’s Rights Alliance
Aotearoa New Zealand, Tick 4 Kids and the Equality Network.
For a more comprehensive overview of Barnardos’ mahi and impact over the past year, please see
our Annual Review and Financial Statements 2020 available at www.barnardos.org.nz/assets/
Publications/Barnardos-Annual-Report2020-Digital.pdf
11STRENGTHENING THE
SECTORS WE WORK IN
The strength of the work that Barnardos and other charitable NGOs
can achieve for children, young people and whānau is directly
dependent on the strength of support provided by Government to
enable this mahi to happen. Through COVID-19, Barnardos, and
many other organisations working in similar spaces, showed the
essential role we play to provide flexible, innovative and child and
whānau centred support to Aotearoa’s communities, to meet needs,
including in times of crisis.
Better support for NGO social
service capability-building and
evidence-base development is
needed
Barnardos also calls on Government to ensure appropriate support to establish a pipeline
of training and capability-building for the workforce needed in the community based social
service sector. This is needed to enable the sector to be able to respond to the systems-
level social challenges that Government needs us to work in partnership with it to make
change. An example of this is Government’s commitment to rolling out Mana Ake in all
primary and intermediate schools around Aotearoa – we welcome this commitment, and
urge Government to adequately support the resourcing of capability-building. This will
position to the community social service sector to be able to provide appropriately trained
and skilled youth mental health workers. More broadly, Barnardos sees that in particular,
building a pathway for the development of skilled workers in different fields to support
tamariki and whānau is a pressing need.
Government has a role to play in working with the NGO social service sector to build an
Aotearoa-focused evidence-base of what works for children and whānau, and in particular,
to start with gathering evidence and growing understanding of what works for Māori.
Sharing such evidence and knowledge widely is important.
12Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
We must see pay equity between
NGOs and Government workers
A central part of this context is achieving a positive result on pay equity for NGO social
service providers. Barnardos is one of five providers named in the PSA pay equity claims
lodged in 2019. There is an urgent need to remedy the wide pay gap between qualified
social workers in the NGO sector and Oranga Tamariki social workers, and the kick-on
negative impacts on recruitment and retention resulting from this pay gap. Barnardos,
together with other NGO social service providers is strongly committed to pay equity in the
context of fair funding and fair pay. We urgently need to see Government support a sector
in which social workers and others are paid fairly and equitably, and where government
contracts enable good employment practice on the part of employers.
Barnardos joins with other NGOs and SSPA to call on the Government to urgently fund
the pay equity settlement as a matter of high priority. Alongside this, we note that the pay
equity settlement process is one route to achieving fair pay in the sector, while full and
fair funding of contracted services is another route. A fully-funded contracted sector, with
costing and pricing mechanisms that recognise the full cost of delivering services, would
be better placed to pay fair rates that enable them to attract and retain the skilled and
experienced staff they need.
The $630 million funding gap is
straining the social service sector
Sustainable social sector funding for community based social service organisations is
needed. As outlined in the independent report by MartinJenkins, ‘Social Service System:
The Funding Gap and How to Bridge it’ (commissioned by SSPA and Philanthropy in
2019), the overall government funding gap facing the community-based social service
sector working with children and families is estimated to be close to $630 million dollars.
Approximately $300 million of this figure relates to the underfunding of wages across
provider organisations delivering essential services.
Barnardos calls on the Government to implement the recommendations of the Funding
Gap report, and to build on more recent positive developments such as CPI adjustments
and some fully-funded contracts for NGO social services. These features need to be
systematised, through re-setting the funding system.
13We need big investment in the
early learning sector
As an organisation working across both the social sector and early learning sector, we
also urge Government to provide greater investment into children’s early years. Increasing
Government funding for the early learning sector will reflect the critical time in life that
children’s early years represent.
In order to achieve the outcomes stated in He Taonga te Tamaiti, the 10 Year Early Learning
Action Plan, Barnardos urgently calls on the Government to address inequities in the
early learning funding system, which have led to disparities such as the gap between
kindergarten teachers’ and early learning teachers’ pay. Barnardos supports the current pay
equity claim brought raised by NZEI, while being absolutely clear that as a not-for-profit
provider of ECE, we are reliant on Government support for addressing this claim. This is
becoming increasingly pressing, given the chronic ECE teacher shortage.
14Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
Government has a key role to
play in easing wider ECE sector
pressures
As an ECE provider we face further pressures in this space which we are calling on
Government to take action on, ultimately for the benefit of the tamariki who the ECE
sector serves. This includes implementing active network management to address the
proliferation of ECE services and maintain and lift quality, and to support better learning
outcomes for tamariki.
We see that Government also has a role to play in breaking down barriers to ECE
participation, by making services more accessible and affordable for high-needs whānau.
Accelerating integration of social services with early learning in communities around
Aotearoa will also enable better outcomes for tamariki and whānau. Barnardos’ own Te
Korowai Mokopuna service, a proven model of this kind, demonstrates this in action.
We believe Te Korowai Mokopuna can be scaled to provide integrated support in more
locations around Aotearoa with Government support.
In light of COVID-19, there has also been important learning about the relevance and role
of Home-based early learning services for whānau, and we encourage Government to
keep strengthening this option.
Barnardos has a significant depth of knowledge as a not-for-profit early learning provider
that we are always willing to share with Government, continuing our strong relationship
with Ministry of Education officials, and as a member of the Early Childhood Advisory
Committee. We welcome opportunities to work with Ministers directly across portfolios
that impact on children’s early years’ during this term of Government.
15PRIORITIES FOR CHILDREN
IN AOTEAROA | NGĀ MEATIA
PAI O NGĀ TAMARIKI KATOA
The priorities for children in These priorities are based on what children,
rangatahi and whānau themselves tell us, and
Aotearoa that we are asking grounded in the knowledge and expertise of
Government to focus on in our kaimahi.
2021 and during its term are: Through our Child and Family Social Services
and Barnardos Early Learning Services,
Barnardos is practically contributing to
1. Realising the full potential progress across each of these areas of
of whānau Māori; challenge and opportunity. Find out more
about Barnardos Early Learning Services at
www.bel.org.nz and Barnardos Child and
2. Lifting families and Family Services at www.barnardos.org.
nz/what-we-do/child-and-family-services
whānau out of poverty; Through our Advocacy, we are influencing
and shaping change at the systems-level
3. An affordable and healthy across all of these issues. Examples of our
Advocacy mahi, including our submissions
home for every child; to Government, can be found at www.
barnardos.org.nz/what-we-do/advocacy
4. A safe childhood for every We know that the Government is committed
child and young person, to addressing these challenges as reflected,
for example, in the Child and Youth Wellbeing
free of abuse, violence and Strategy and its six outcome areas for
neglect; children and young people.
We urge the Government, and all Ministers
5. Investing in children’s with portfolio responsibilities relating to
early years; and
children, youth, families and whānau to
urgently prioritise progress on six the
priorities outlined above. We ask for a focus
6. Ensuring mental health on policies and programmes that will make
the biggest difference for those who are most
support for every child in need and to ensure an equal start in life for
and new parent. all children and tamariki.
16Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
We need this Government
to put tools into action
We call on Government to turn the new tools (such as the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and
the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018) and expert advice commissioned and received by the last
Government (such as the Welfare Expert Advisory Group and Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry
recommendations) into tangible, practical action to drive change during this term of Government.
Actionable policy is needed to make a difference in the daily lives of children, young people and
whānau.
We urge the Government to demonstrate its recommitment, made in November 2019, to the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child as a States Party, as well as its obligations under the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UN Convention on the Rights of Peoples
with Disabilities. Making these rights real in practice for all children and whānau is essential to
achieving progress on the key priorities for children and whānau in Aotearoa.
We urge Government make the use of a Child Impact Assessment mandatory for all new and
amended legislation and policy, and to involve children, young people, families and whānau in
meaningful ways to help shape change.
17We need meaningful
partnerships between
Government, Māori and NGOs
We call on Government to demonstrate a true partnership approach under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, by
building strong relationships of trust and transparency working together with whānau, hapū and Iwi
to realise rangatiratanga.
We also ask Government to keep working closely with NGOs and other partners who have
relationships, experience, knowledge and the skills to create and support change with children and
whānau, which may include working in partnership with Iwi. Commissioning models must prioritise
the needs of local communities, and harness Iwi and NGO social sector experience, knowledge
and skills. We hope that opportunities created through the Public Service Act 2020 for closer
relationships between Governnment and NGO social services will be realised.
Enabling collaboration at the flaxroots level in communities around Aotearoa is essential, so that
tamariki and whānau experience systems that make sense in their lives, harness local knowledge and
strengths, and work to support the aspirations and outcomes that they are seeking.
18Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
Listening to the experience
and voices of tamariki and
rangatahi is essential
We urge the Government to keep actively listening with manaaki to the experiences, aspirations and
ideas of children, young people, and whānau about what they need in order to thrive, and what will
help make positive changes in their lives. Turning what Government hears from these groups into
tangible positive outcomes is what Barnardos believes is the essential ingredient in making progress
in Aotearoa, including in our COVID-19 recovery.
Recently, we invited all children and rangatahi in Aotearoa to share their aspirations and hopes for
the decade through art, poetry or by combining these art forms as a way to express themselves. The
entries recieved through our Dreams for the Decade participatory project are full of reflection, deep
wisdom and hope for the future, and support the agenda for change towards making Aotearoa the
best place in the world to be a child.
Some of these are included below, and all the entries can be viewed at the Dreams for the Decade
online Gallery at www.dreamsforthedecade.nz We invite all Government Ministers to visit the
Gallery to hear directly from Aotearoa’s children and young people about their dreams for this most
critical decade in their lives and our future.
Listen (my dream) My Dreams
for one child of two, I dream
the future can be, to be a kind girl
the world beyond, swirling around
what you can see, with beautiful clothes
to want to help us, Lots of books to read
to want to help life, cooking with an apron on
to want a world, and giving them to poor children
without fear or strife, Maybe my wish is to
destiny behold one child of two, be a teacher after all
to make change, I like warm clothes
to bring love, warm water
“You can fly high too.” “My dream for Aotearoa is for everyone to to make the world anew, warm food
have a big meal everyday.”
Dina, 17 years to want the world better, Having a wonderful family
Stellah, 9 years it is not wrong, kind friends
to want war to end, hearing birds chirp,
and love to be strong, I wish to dance
and for the next decade to century, like the wind
let the sun shine, let the sky rain, I want to live
let us fix our problems, in a world
make the world great again, where
that’s what I want, everybody is happy.
that’s what we need, Nethuki, 8 years
i’m that one child of two,
i want to do a good deed,
and in the future,
listen to me,
and listen to my dreams,
“Life is a puzzle.” “My Dream of the Decade is a pipe to take for the world to be free.
water around the world.”
Ben, 13 years & Jahaziel, 14 years Maggie, 11 years
Lukas Thomas, 4 years from Barnardos
19
Henderson Early Learning CentreFor 60 years, Barnardos has been a part of communities
throughout the motu, and over that time, working with
Government and others, we have been able to make a
positive impact. There is much more to be done.
All children come into the world with their light shining bright. Our social services are a continuum, preventing problems
They have the right to grow up safe, loved, and with hope for before they get too overwhelming, to intensive help in the
the future. But the reality today is that too many children and whānau home to help tamariki thrive, to also providing care
young people in Aotearoa are impacted by long standing for tamariki when it is really not possible to do so at home.
social and family problems that affect their everyday lives.
We are a sector-leader, and because of our national presence,
We know change is possible. local connections, expertise and size, we are well-positioned
to make a positive contribution to both the social service and
We keep advocating to drive change at the systems-level, so early learning sectors. Collaborating with others to develop
that national laws, policies, practices, and institutions meet the Aotearoa’s community-based social service workforce is
needs of all children and tamariki, and respect, protect and important to us, as well as ensuring Aotearoa’s early learning
uphold their rights. kaiako and kaimahi can best support children in these crucial
first years of life.
At our early learning centres and through our home based
networks, we are today making early learning services Every day, we’re making a positive, long-lasting difference to
available to under-fives throughout Aotearoa, to create strong children’s lives. Because when tamariki shine bright, Aotearoa
foundations for children’s educational and life outcomes. shines bright.
We continue providing social support services to children We look forward to working with the Government so that this
and whānau in our communities facing really tough times becomes the reality for Aotearoa, for the benefit of children,
– including those who have experienced family violence, rangatahi, families, whānau, communities, and our collective
family breakdown, addiction, neglect and abuse, and those future. We have practical insights, expertise and experience
struggling with mental health issues. to bring to the table, and we look forward to continuing the
kōrero and the mahi together.
20Barnardos New Zealand - Briefing to the Government 2021
FURTHER
INFORMATION
Pārongo atu
More information on Barnardos is
available on our website:
www.barnardos.org.nz
To contact Barnardos about anything
covered in this Briefing, please contact the
Barnardos Advocacy Team:
Mahala Pinchen
Advocacy Advisor
mahala.pinchen@barnardos.org.nz
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