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Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says an interim report from an independent expert panel shows the need for transformational change at Child, Youth and Family.
Ms Tolley says it's clear the system is not delivering effectively for vulnerable children and young people, and that transformational change is required at the agency.
The expert panel will now work with a Youth Advisory Panel, a Maori Reference Group, a Practice Reference Group and a secretariat made up of cross-agency staff to develop proposals for a replacement system, including a new advocacy service to represent the voices of vulnerable children and young people.
The report says the new operating model should be child-centred system, shifting away from processes and administration.
It recommends an investment approach, where data and evidence of what works is used to target earlier intervention and use of resources.
This would improve the life outcomes for children while also reducing future costs for taxpayers.
It also wants an effective professional practice framework, allowing staff to use their professional judgment and cultural competence to support children based on clear principles, rather than rules, compliance and time-driven practice.
The panel says New Zealanders and communities need to be encouraged to provide loving, stable families for vulnerable children, take action to support vulnerable children and build their understanding of what care means for children and young people.
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