Presbytarian Support Otago has restructured its Family Works service, resulting in one redundancy.
Communication and fundraising director Lisa Wells said four team leader positions (3.6 full-time equivalent) were disestablished following staff consultation. Replacing them were two practice managers, a social work supervisor and a part-time (eight hours a week) buddy programme adviser.
A Dunedin-based 0.8 full-time equivalent team leader was made redundant.
The new structure would take effect on October 15. The practice managers had been appointed; the part-time role appointment was pending, and the social work role would be advertised externally.
The social work supervisor role was to be advertised externally this weekend, after an unsuccessful internal recruitment attempt.
One team leader had been based in Central Otago, where one of two practice managers was based, responsible for rural Otago. The other practice manager is in Dunedin.
The review's catalyst was a staff vacancy, which was an opportunity to redesign the service, Mrs Wells said.
The result was a "less stratified" service clients would find easier to access.
"It has been a difficult time for staff in Family Works throughout this lengthy process, but this has been necessary to ensure that the aims of the review were met.
"We believe that we now have the structure to better serve our community - whether that be at an individual, family or community level," Mrs Wells said.
Family Works helps children, young people, and their families, through providing budgeting advice, advocacy, counselling, parenting programmes, and mentoring.
