Editorial: Govt cash key to children's safety

So vivid is the picture of dysfunction painted in Judge Mick Brown's review of the state's child protection agency that certain questions are inevitable. Why was Child, Youth and Family Services unable to address woes so serious that they were undermining its operation? Why, at the very least, was it unable to impress its plight on previous Governments? As it was, it took a spate of deaths of children who had come to CYFS' attention to raise national consciousness and to spark the review. Fortunately for a nation moved close to despair, this report provides not only a thorough description of the ailment but common-sense remedies.

In the main, Judge Brown is sympathetic to the agency. Indeed, he attributes most of its problems to factors beyond its control. Inadequate funding is the core woe. This has shown itself in staff shortages, excessive workloads and unallocated cases. Perhaps most seriously, it has skewed decision-making.

In the contentious area of placement, children were taken into care because agency staff saw this as the only certain way to secure adequate resources. This, as Judge Brown states, showed a chilling disregard for the key issue - the interests of those children.

In such circumstances, it is hardly surprising that some have lost faith in the agency. Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, the head of Women's Refuge, has, for example, called for its disbandment. Even this week, CYFS has apologised for its handling of the case of brain-damaged Sade Trembath, who was battered by her grandmother after the agency placed the child in her care. When this, and other earlier decisions, had tragic consequences, CYFS withdrew into itself, further alienating those who should be its allies.

While such a reaction is unsurprising, it, quite rightly, gains no support from Judge Brown. This, along with the quality of the social work practised - even when restricted to urgent cases - was within the agency's control. A key recommendation is for CYFS to promote a culture of openness.

Judge Brown also leaves no doubt about the need for urgency. If pressure on resources previously led the agency to operate day by day, that is no longer good enough. CYFS, says Judge Brown, should have three months to provide a plan for how it will develop a fully skilled social work staff. Likewise, the report considers that funding and resources should be concentrated on reducing the number of unallocated cases to zero within six months. There is a huge shortfall to overcome. Six months ago, CYFS conceded that more than 1300 reported cases of child abuse in Auckland and the Waikato could not be fully investigated because of staff shortages. To remedy that, and develop fully skilled staff, will clearly require a heavy emphasis on frontline staff.

There can, of course, be no excuse for delay when inadequate or inappropriate placement procedures place children in peril. Commendably, the report does not duck sensitive issues raised by recent tragedies. Placing children with family and whanau should be reviewed to ensure that all placements are made in the best interests of the child, it says.

The Prime Minister has already stated the Government's determination to develop a "professional child-welfare service." Judge Brown's review should be the catalyst. It also, however, puts the Government on its mettle. CYFS' operational breakdown leaves no room for prevarication. This year's Budget will be the acid test of the resolve to provide an efficient safety net for our most vulnerable children.