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March 2017

A regular e-bulletin from the Children Wellbeing Network published with the support of the Public Health Association of New Zealand and Variety – the Children's Charity.

CWN is an informal network of individuals and organisations committed to promoting the wellbeing of all children in New Zealand by keeping people in touch with current issues affecting children. Please note we do not advocate in our own right or necessarily represent the views of all our members.


Kia ora and greetings!

Welcome to the March 2017 e-Bulletin for the Child Wellbeing Network (CWN) – sharing information and supporting each other to promote child wellbeing.

This is our first bulletin for the year. We hope that you have all had a lovely break over the summer(?) and are ready for what promises to be a year full of opportunities to advance child wellbeing.

Already, it has been an extraordinarily busy start to the year with the Education Update, changes to Special Education (now Learning Support) and continued work on establishing Oranga Tamariki and getting the new model up and running.

As attention to issues affecting children and young people continues to grow the pace and scope of change can be quite difficult to stay on top of. As we head into an election year it will be imperative that we keep talking together, sharing ideas and information, and supporting each other. 

Let’s continue growing our shared understanding of what it means to be child-centred and what can be done to improve child wellbeing in Aotearoa, so that all children enjoy the best childhood possible.

We hope the Child Wellbeing Network and this e-Bulletin will help with that.

Happy reading!

Ka kite ano


In this issue:

Working together to put children on the agenda

  • What's on when?
  • Towards a child centred care and protection and youth justice system
  • Child-Friendly Spaces training for 2017
  • What’s happening on the child poverty front?
  • Inspiring Communities – Activate event 5-6 April, Auckland

It's only right – children's rights update

  • Children and young people’s voice – calls to lower the voting age; 12 year old petitions Parliament
  • Getting the balance right – children’s privacy and best interests
  • The rights of adolescents.

Protecting children from violence

  • Children and young people’s voice – protest against high school rape culture
  • News from the Family Violence Clearinghouse.

Caring for children – families and others who look after children

  • Children Young Persons and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill
  • MSD developing National Care Standards
  • Calls for inquiry into abuse in State care
  • Impact of State care on Māori.

Children first – children with disabilities

  • A World Without Down Syndrome
  • Disability Connect.

Keeping children safe and well

  • Health professors call for government regulation to protect children from industry marketing of unhealthy food and drink
  • Auckland rheumatic fever awareness campaign.

Learning, play and culture – children's education, leisure and cultural activities

  • Education (Update) Amendment Bill
  • We only seem to value what we can measure
  • Education for All – making education inclusive.

A fair go for all children – children who need special attention

  • Youth Justice changes.

About the Child Wellbeing Network


Working together to put children on the agenda

What's on when? Key dates for submissions and events

Who What Date
Minister of Justice (yet to be referred to Select Committee) Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill Submission date not yet announced
Social Services Select Committee Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill Submissions closed 3 March 2017; report due 13 June 2017
Education and Science Select Committee Education (Update) Amendment Bill and Supplementary Order Paper regarding seclusion rooms and physical restraints Report released 20 March 2017
Education for All Petition calling on Government to make a full commitment to disabled people and inclusive education Open for signatures, to be presented at Parliament 1pm on 6 April

Towards a child-centred care and protection and youth justice system

The Children’s Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, has called for changes to the Children, Young Persons and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill to ensure decisions and actions that affect children and young people are grounded in their best interests, enhance their mana, uphold their rights, include their voices and meet their needs.

Find out more.

Read why the Commissioner says we need to find a resolution to the growing debate about the role of whānau, hapū, iwi and wider family in caring for children and young people who have been removed from their usual caregivers.

Keep in touch with the work of the OCC.

Follow the Commissioner’s Office on Facebook.


Child-Friendly Spaces training for 2017

Save the Children’s Child-Friendly Spaces facilitator training is coming up in Hawke's Bay, Wellington and Queenstown. Children are particularly vulnerable during a disaster and Save the Children wants to see child-friendly spaces be a normal part of this country’s emergency response.

Find out more about the CFS programme.

Check training dates and register your interest in training.

 


What’s happening on the child poverty front?

Social housing demand up 49 percent since 2015

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has reported that as at December 2016 the number of houses on the social housing 'Priority A' waiting list was 3189, a 49 percent increase since December 2015. Those households on the Priority A list are defined by the Ministry of Social Development as having a severe and persistent need that must be addressed immediately.

Find out more.

Key data from 2016 Child Poverty Monitor

Key data from the Child Poverty Monitor released late last year includes:

  • 14 percent of children are living in material hardship. That means 155,000 New Zealand children are in households that are living without seven or more items, from a total list of 17, which are considered necessary for their wellbeing.
  • 8 percent (or 85,000) of New Zealand children are experiencing even worse material hardship with households missing out on nine or more items from the list of 17. This is a new measure for the Child Poverty Monitor following its introduction to Government reporting last year.
  • 28 percent of children are living in low income homes. That means 295,000 New Zealand children are in homes where money is tight and are considered to be in income poverty.
  • More than 8 percent of children are in severe poverty. That means 90,000 New Zealand children are experiencing both material hardship and living in a low income household.
  • While child poverty has been reasonably stable for a number of years, it is significantly worse than the 1980s. In 1982 the percentage of children in families experiencing income poverty was 14 percent, compared to 28 percent now.

Find out more.

Read the Child Poverty Monitor Technical Report.

Download infographics and other resources.

Pennies From Heaven book launched – Why cash works best to ensure all children thrive

Pennies From Heaven is new research by Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw at the Morgan Foundation. Premised on the knowledge that children from families on low incomes do worse in New Zealand, it looks at the latest science on why these children are less likely to thrive. Stress and the role of it in infant and children development is covered in detail.

It goes on to explore a broad range of policies and interventions designed to improve outcomes for children and families who find themselves poor and considers which have the greatest power.

Ultimately, it concludes that 'cash without strings' has a very powerful effect on children and families' wellbeing, due in part to its ability to address the stress in the lives of those who find themselves poor.

Find out more.

Read a New Zealand Herald article about the research.

Quick links to information on child poverty

Keep up-to-date with the great work being done by CPAG, including latest news, campaigns, upcoming events and report releases.

See the latest newsletter from CPAG covering submitting on the Oranga Tamariki Bill and Budget Policy Statement 2017.

Check the Child Poverty Monitor online or on Facebook.

The infographics on the Child Poverty Monitor website can be downloaded for use in presentations, on websites and other communications.


Inspiring Communities – Activate event 5-6 April, Auckland

Join Inspiring Communities as they visit communities leading change across Auckland and take part in an ideas exchange – learning practical skills together. Take the opportunity to get out from your desk and be part of this innovative event.

The first day you’ll venture out across Auckland neighbourhoods to see community-led development first-hand – hearing from and talking with people who don’t usually cross your path. You’ll then spend day two sharing what you know while learning about the new tools, skills, proven ideas and much more.

Find out more.

Register now – note: places are limited and the last event we held sold out.


It’s only right – children’s rights update

Children and young people’s voice

Calls to lower the voting age

On Children’s day, Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft suggested it is a good time to start thinking about lowering the voting age to 16. The proposal has the support of students at Te Wharekura o Manurewa who said they would be interested in learning more so they could make informed decisions.

Listen to Judge Becroft explain why he thinks we need to be talking about lowering the voting age.

12-year-old petitions Parliament

12-year-old Nicole Thornton has presented a petition to Parliament with more than 3000 signatures calling for people with Crohn’s or colitis to be able to use workplace toilets.

Read the petition and follow its progress.

Find out more.


Getting the balance right – children’s privacy and best interests

There has been strong criticism of the proposed information-sharing provisions in the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill. While there is widespread agreement that children’s safety must be prioritised, concerns have been raised about possible unintended consequences for trust relationships with those providing confidential services and the privacy rights of children and their families.

Read the Privacy Commissioner’s submission on the Bill.

An associated issue is the introduction of a contractual requirement that services provide Government with client level data. In this Nine to Noon interview Brenda Pilot from ComVoices explains NGO sector concerns about the requirement to provide clients private details to Government in exchange for funding. And in this interview Murray Edridge from the Ministry of Social Development responds.


The rights of adolescents

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has issued a general comment to guide states on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence.

It aims to promote the realisation of adolescents' rights, strengthen their potential contribution to positive and progressive social transformation and overcome the challenges they face in the transition from childhood to adulthood in an increasingly globalised and complex world. It is well worth a read.


Protecting children from violence

Children and young people's voice – protest against high school rape culture

The recent protest against rape culture in high schools was completely student organised and led.

Find out why some young people attended.




 


News from the Family Violence Clearing House

Keep an eye on the Family Violence Clearinghouse for the latest information about research and initiatives to keep children safe and to help those affected by violence. Latest issues covered include:

Caring for children – families and others who look after children

Children, Young Persons and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill

Submissions on the Children, Young Persons and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill have now closed and are being considered by the Social Services Select Committee.

A key issue under the Bill has been the removal of the principle of "whānau first" when placing a child in care.

Find out more.

The Children’s Commissioner is particularly concerned about this proposed change. Find out why.

Read the Commissioner’s full submission.

Read the Bill and follow its progress.


MSD developing National Care standards

As part of the Oranga Tamariki changes the Ministry of Social Development is developing national care standards to outline the quality of care for children and young people.

Find out more.


Calls for an inquiry into abuse of people in State care

The Human Rights Commission has issued an open letter calling for an independent inquiry into the abuse of people, including children and young people, in State care. The letter calls for:

  • an independent inquiry into the abuse of people held in State care
  • a public apology to those who were affected
  • steps to acknowledge the harm to victims and provide them with appropriate redress and rehabilitation
  • action to ensure such abuse never happens again.

Find out more.


Inquiry should focus on the impact of State care on Māori

A Waitangi Tribunal Claim has also been lodged for there to be an independent inquiry that takes into account the impact of State care on Māori.

University of Auckland Law lecturer Andrew Eruti has explained that "Unless we explore that in detail, unless there's a comprehensive inquiry into the reasons for the abuse and neglect – and it was extensive and pervasive – then there's a real risk that we may end up repeating the same mistakes under this new code."

Find out more.


Children first – children with disabilities

A world without Down Syndrome?

21 March is World Down Syndrome Day. A World Without Downs is a BBC documentary looking at issues associated with developments in prenatal screening. It screens on TV1 at 9.30 on 21 March and will be available on demand.

This recent Listener article looks at new blood tests to screen for fetal abnormalities. Although discussed in academic circles the article suggests wider public discussion is needed about the issues involved. The article includes the following from the mother of a nine-week old girl with Down Syndrome:

"You fear what you don’t know or understand, especially so when it’s singled out for screening by the government. We now know that Ruby will walk and talk in her own time. She’ll wind up her big bro, cause her parents all sorts of worries, have a special relationship with her grandparents and make us all extraordinarily proud. She’ll make friends, and hopefully find a love match. She’ll get an education, and have a career. She will be confident, independent and happy. So far, no different than any other baby born on 12 January 2014. And is that something to fear?"


Disability Connect

Disability Connect is an umbrella organisation that supports families raising a child with a disability.

Check out the Disability Connect website for the latest news and information about upcoming workshops and events.


Keeping children safe and well

Health professors call for government regulation to protect children from industry marketing of unhealthy food and drink

The Advertising Standards Authority has recently adopted a new self-regulatory Children and Young People’s Advertising Code to replace the two previous codes for advertising to children and advertising food. The industry-led code comes into force on 3 July 2017 and advertising to children and young people must comply with the code from 2 October 2017.

Seventy-three health professors have published an article in the New Zealand Medical Journal stating that industry-led self-regulation is unlikely to provide substantial protection and government regulation is needed to address New Zealand’s obesity epidemic.

In the same edition, University of Otago researchers call for a paradigm shift in the priority accorded to children rights in public policy in matters such as junk food and alcohol marketing, poverty, housing, climate change, and embedding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in policy formulation.

See also:


Auckland rheumatic fever awareness campaign

A rheumatic fever awareness raising campaign is being run in Auckland until the end of April.

Find out more.

Listen to a discussion about why Government targets to reduce rheumatic fever are unlikely to be met in some regions.


Children's learning, play and culture

Education (Update) Amendment Bill

The Education and Science Select Committee released its report on the Education (Update) Amendment Bill on 20 March. This covers proposals to prohibit seclusion and regulate the use of physical restraints.

Read the Committee's report.

Follow the Bill’s progress.


We only seem to value what we can measure

Here are some advice and questions from British educationalist Sir John Jones – who was recently in New Zealand– on what it means to put children at the centre of education.


Education for All – making education inclusive

Education for All petition

Education for All believes schools must be supported and resourced to cater for every child, regardless of their learning needs. The key messages in the Education for All petition are:

  • every child has the right to fully participate succeed and benefit from education
  • the whole system needs to change. No more tinkering. No more taking support off one child to fund another
  • we deserve a well-funded, response and workable system.

The petition will be delivered on 6 April at 1pm. Parliament Grounds, Wellington.

Sign and share the Education for All petition.

Changes at the Ministry of Education

Changes are underway at the Ministry of Education to strengthen inclusion and modernise how learning support is delivered across the education system. Special Education is now called Learning Support.

Find out more and follow the changes.

Support for students with dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

Late last year, following a 15 month inquiry, the Education and Science Committee recommended changes to improve the identification and support for students with dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Their recommendations cover best practices, screening processes, support for students during school transitions, teacher training, and the implementation of the 2008 New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines recommendations.

Find out more and download the Committee’s report.


A fair go for all children – children who need special attention

Youth Justice changes

The Children, Young Persons and their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill proposes several changes to youth justice. For an excellent overview of the issues involved and what more could be done to improve the youth justice system see section 6 of the Children’s Commissioner’s submission on the Bill.

To keep in touch with justice issues affecting children and young people visit the JustSpeak website. JustSpeak is a network of young people speaking up for a fair and just Aotearoa.


About the Child Wellbeing Network

The Child Wellbeing Network is an informal network of individuals and organisations committed to promoting the wellbeing of all children in New Zealand and ensuring that children's interests are a priority concern for all decision-makers.

We do this by sharing information and encouraging support amongst the many working in the field to maximise the impact of our own initiatives, and to facilitate strategic action for children. We do not claim to represent the views of our members. Neither do we advocate in our own right or duplicate existing efforts.

The four key principles underpinning our work are that:

  • all children in New Zealand deserve a fair go
  • children's best interests should be a primary consideration in any decision affecting them
  • every child is entitled to reach their full potential
  • children are active participants in life and their voices should be heard.

These principles are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

How can you subscribe to the CWN bulletin?

Subscribe to the CWN Bulletin here. It's free and you do not have to be a member of the CWN.

Joining CWN

If you would like to become a member, please contact Andrea Jamison or Amanda D’Souza for a copy of the CWN Terms of Reference so you can make sure you agree with them..

Email group

We have set up an email group for members of the network to share information quickly or seek advice, comments or help. Members can send an email to the group by emailing childwellbeingnetwork@googlegroups.com. Members have all agreed to the Terms of Reference.

If you would like to add an item on the next bulletin please email Andrea Jamison. The editorial team decide what items will be published in accordance with the Network’s terms of reference. We welcome feedback and suggestions as CWN is a work in progress.

Disclaimer: Please note, unless specifically stated, opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Public Health Association or Variety – The Children's Charity.


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New Zealand
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