24 Mar 2011

Changes to child abuse prevention programme

12:49 pm on 24 March 2011

at detecting and preventing more child abuse.

Changes are being made to a Government-funded programme aimed

at detecting and preventing more child abuse.

The Family Start programme offers support to parents of young children so they have improved health, education and social outcomes.

But Social Development Paula Bennett Minister says the 13-year-old programme needs to change so the outcomes are measured better. She says the priority must be the prevention of child abuse.

Ms Bennett says there will be increased oversight of contractors who will keep their contracts for the next eight to 10 months.

But any who don't measure up to the new criteria, may lose their contracts.