Dunedin North Labour candidate Dr David Clark has accused
Child Youth and Family of cutting jobs and the Government of
going against promises.
Dr Clark says 30 jobs will go throughout the organisation and
Dunedin will lose two social workers and two supervisors.
"The timing could not be worse as the cost of living and
unemployment increase and the pressure on families increases.
Our community, our children, deserve better," he said.
The cuts made a lie of the Government's promise to not cut
frontline services.
However, CYF manager of public affairs Bernadine MacKenzie
said "there are no staffing cuts to the organisation".
"No cuts are being made. No staff member is losing their job.
There is no restructuring." Staffing had increased over the
past two years - from 2786 FTE to 3097, more than 200 of whom
worked directly with children, youth and their families - but
the organisation "allocates its resources where there is the
greatest need".
"As and when opportunities present themselves in terms of
vacancies, changes are made. If a staff member leaves, the
region looks at whether the workload requires that position
to be filled.
"Otago and Southland have had more social workers per
caseload and demand than the rest of New Zealand.
"If and when vacancies occur, consideration will be given to
moving those positions to where they are needed most. All
decisions are made on the basis of meeting the need to
protect children and young people at risk," she said.
The Public Services Association, which has more than 200 CYF
staff members in Otago and Southland, was aware of the issues
and is working with members, management and the Ministry of
Social Development to address concerns.
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