Govt makes it easier for teachers to contact CYF

A package to make it easier for teachers to contact Child Youth and Family (CYF), including a dedicated phone line, will be announced by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today.

CYF received 8300 notifications of possible abuse or neglect from teachers and school social workers in the past year, Ms Bennett said.

The education assist package has been established after Ms Bennett asked CYF to strengthen processes to respond better to school reports of abuse.

"Teachers and principals know the children they teach, they know what's normal for each child and what's not.

"I felt we could strengthen the priority process, so if teachers have genuine concerns about a child's welfare, they get a rapid response.''

The package includes a dedicated "Ed Assist'' phone line and online contact team, an outbound calling service from CYF contact centre to schools, and a feedback loop from CYF to schools after reports of concern have been lodged.

Police are the main group to notify CYF about children, followed by health professional and then teachers.

On Thursday parliament passed a bill making it a criminal offence to turn a blind eye to child abuse.