CYF takes 40 weeks to respond to some urgent cases, MP says

4.00pm


Some children whose cases are marked "urgent" are waiting more than 40 weeks to be allocated a social worker, it was revealed today.

According to figures released by National MP Katherine Rich, one child supposed to be dealt with within seven days waited more than 41 weeks to be allocated to a social worker and another eight on the "urgent" list waited at least 40 weeks.

Two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, ended up staying in a Timaru backpacker hostel in November after no foster parents could be found.

Ms Rich, the party's spokeswoman for social services, said the long waits were unacceptable.

CYF took six days to remove two children from a gang house in South Auckland where they had watched their mother being gang-raped.

"Common sense would suggest that both mum and children should have been removed immediately," Ms Rich said.

It was becoming harder and harder for CYF to recruit caregivers, she admitted.

"CYF faces an uphill battle next year to restore public confidence and the minister could start by showing some leadership.

A CYF spokeswoman was unavailable for immediate comment.

- NZPA