Supervision needed for long-term CYF cases, says Dyson

Child, Youth and Family workers who deal with some families for long periods should have supervision and support, CYF Minister Ruth Dyson said yesterday.

CYF and the Commissioner for Children have released reports into how Masterton half-sisters Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson were dealt with by agencies before they were murdered by their stepfather.

The agencies came in for harsh criticism. Both reports found the social worker on the case was over-familiar with the family and CYF processes and procedures were not followed.

Ms Dyson said the reports repeated warnings that had already been given in cases such as that of James Whakaruru, but it was clear those messages were not being heeded by some CYF staff.

"We need to have much stronger leadership - and I certainly hope that we are providing that from central government and within our entire departmental structure - to say that we have policies and procedures in place. It is not an option, it is mandatory. They must be implemented," Ms Dyson said.

The Aplin family case had been worked on by a social worker for some time and the person became very familiar with the circumstances, "and therefore did not perhaps react as a newer person would have", Ms Dyson said.

"Obviously the need for more peer support and supervision is needed in those cases where an individual social worker is dealing with a family over a very long period of time."

- NZPA