A former children's home supervisor convicted of sexually abusing a young girl in his care has escaped a jail sentence by fleeing to England.

Police have been called in after a Govt "sting" of secondhand appliance dealers found some allegedly conniving with beneficiaries to deceive Work and Income.

Paula Bennett has attacked the integrity of a solo mother who is asking for $15,000 to settle a privacy complaint against the minister.

A teaching method for caregivers of children from broken homes is "a bit like Supernanny" says the boss of a scheme aimed at coaching foster parents.

The Govt's decision to remove recognition for fully qualified centres 'dumbs down' the sector, early childhood educators say.

A damning report into police handling of child abuse cases shows at least one district prioritised traffic fines over abuse investigations.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says children are being treated like dogs, as figures show serious cases of abuse against babies have leapt by two-thirds in just two years.

Winz staff told a woman with a university bachelor degree to "dumb down" her CV before applying for jobs.

Paula Bennett lauded a professor she appointed to a welfare reform group - then confused him with a namesake with wildly opposing views.

Paula Bennett has denied she offered money to a beneficiary who laid a privacy complaint against her.

Sir John Walker lobbies ministers to help his successful youth programmes.