A review of early intervention programmes aimed at families in need says though they are working, improvements are needed.
The Family Start and Early Start programmes cost $29.4 million to run and were set up in the 1990s. A review was announced in October last year.
The review says Family Start should be strengthened as it has considerable potential to produce positive results for children.
It says some providers are achieving better results than others.
The report says when the overall performance has improved, the Government should look at increasing the number of providers.
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says strengthening of the early intervention programmes will not require more funding.
Ms Bennett says the ministry will work more closely with the agencies to get them up to a standard that works effectively and efficiently with the families most in need.
She says she has no doubt that the ministry has the resources to do the job.
