April 18, 2024
Job cuts put social workers at risk
The Tangata Whenua Social Workers’ Association says job cuts at Oranga Tamariki will have a direct impact on social workers working the frontlines with whānau.
Staff were told yesterday morning more than 400 jobs were going at the Children’s Ministry, but chief executive Chappie Te Kani said frontline staff will not be affected.
But association kaimāngai Miriama Scott says cuts to the administrative staff who monitor processes and regulatory compliance will leave kaimahi exposed.
She says they’re already under stress from increased workloads, particularly tangata whenua.
“This then brings their ability to manage those situations into an arena where they could be held responsible for the outcomes if they are negative when it’s a systemic korero, not necessarily and individual practise korero,” Ms Scot says.
The ministry is also disestablishing its treaty response unit and shifting current responsibilities to other areas as the workforce shrinks by 9 percent.