Counselling, support for new parents among services cut

Thursday, 18 July 2024

Hundreds of not-for-profit organisations supporting vulnerable children in NZ are left in limbo as Oranga Tamariki discontinues or fails to update over 1000 care contracts with little notice.

The types of contracts that are among those not being renewed by the Ministry for Children –Oranga Tamariki include counselling for girls who have been through domestic violence, support for new parents and babies, and 24/7 care for children.

It follows care organisations being left in limbo by Oranga Tamariki after it failed to ensure hundreds of contracts renewals were in place before they expired, or informed providers their contracts would not be renewed, with only hours’ notice before a long weekend, in which they were due to expire.

An organisation that supports women and girls who have been through domestic violence, had its counselling contract discontinued.

“It means that there is a destabilisation of our services,” a person in the organisation said. “We have to maintain a sense of stability for our staff as much as we can, because they are providing the frontline service.”

They feared it may limit the availability of counselling for clients, as there was already limited services in the area.

The Post understands one major provider which rolls out a range of services such as counselling and social work in schools had what was described by a source as an “integral” contract not renewed, which would greatly affect the availability of services.

Another provider, in tears, spoke of the stress and uncertainty of the situation. They provided wraparound services for parents and babies, helping parents with any issues such as poverty, mental health issues and extra support.

The person who ran the organisation went through a cut to their renewed contract last year, and hoped “that was it”.

Nikki Hurst, executive officer of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services, and Chief executive Belinda Himiona of Social Service Providers - community-based providers.

Now, midway through that contract, they say they have been left with uncertainty around future funding and whether they will be able to pay bills on time.

Oranga Tamariki CEO Chappie Te Kani said there may be some 'impact' from his plan to cut 'back office' staff at the child protection ministry.

Another organisation which provides 24-hour support to young people aged eight to 18-years-old who are unable to live with family or foster care had a drop in funding of more than 30%. T

A letter sent in March from Oranga Tamariki Deputy Chief Executive Darrin Haimona, obtained by The Post, that went to providers with agreements or contracts due to expire on June 30, stated it was “currently looking at the levels of different services required”.

The letter said they could not guarantee the on-going funding of services or otherwise make more money available once agreements expired.

Where there was an ongoing need for services a draft agreement or variation would be provided “as soon as possible” so it could be in place by July 1, the letter said.

OT would continue to purchase the services on the understanding ”either party can terminate the service that was due to expire with 30 days’ notice“,

Providers were told in an email Oranga Tamariki would be moving our contracting to focus more on performance and outcomes as it moved towards a social investment approach.

“This reflects the expectations of the government and Minister.”

Haimona earlier said they acknowledged “there may be feelings of uncertainty for some of our providers as we work through this process”.

“We are currently working through finalising the new terms and conditions, these will set out the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of both providers and Oranga Tamariki in a clearer and more consistent way.”