Key Takeaways
- The Social Investment Agency has announced the first organisations to receive funding, with a focus on supporting children whose parents are in prison or have been in the care system, and children who have been stood down from school before turning 13.
- Seven programmes will receive a total of $50 million in funding, supporting children from newborns to 18-year-olds.
- The successful organisations were selected based on their ability to make a significant impact on the target groups and measure their success.
- The funding is part of the $190 million allocated to the Social Investment Fund in Budget 2025.
- The programmes will provide a range of services, including counselling, trauma therapy, health and safety support, family mentoring, and behaviour change programmes.
Introduction to the Social Investment Agency
The Social Investment Agency has announced the first round of funding for organisations that support vulnerable children in New Zealand. The agency, which is responsible for managing the Social Investment Fund, has allocated $50 million to seven programmes that will provide services to children from newborns to 18-year-olds. The funding is part of the $190 million allocated to the Social Investment Fund in Budget 2025. Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis stated that the successful organisations were selected based on their ability to make a significant impact on the target groups and measure their success.
The Successful Organisations
The seven organisations that will receive funding are: Te Hou Ora Whānau Services Limited, Tākiri Mai te Ata Trust, Te Puawaitanga ki tautahi Charitable Trust, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust, Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated, Horowhenua New Zealand Trust, and Kaikaranga Holding Ltd. These organisations will provide a range of services, including counselling, trauma therapy, health and safety support, family mentoring, and behaviour change programmes. For example, Te Hou Ora Whānau Services Limited will provide support for 120 children in Dunedin, while Tākiri Mai te Ata Trust will provide counselling and trauma therapy for 200 young people in Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.
The Selection Process
The organisations were selected by a panel of government and social sector leaders, who assessed their ability to make a significant impact on the target groups and measure their success. The panel considered a range of factors, including the organisations’ experience and expertise, their ability to reach and engage with the target groups, and their capacity to measure and evaluate their outcomes. Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis stated that the successful organisations demonstrated a strong understanding of the needs of the target groups and a clear plan for how they would use the funding to make a positive impact.
The Impact of the Funding
The funding is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children in New Zealand. The programmes will provide critical support and services to children who are at risk of poor outcomes, including those whose parents are in prison or have been in the care system, and those who have been stood down from school before turning 13. By providing early intervention and support, the programmes aim to improve the long-term outcomes for these children and help them to reach their full potential. For example, the behaviour change programme provided by Horowhenua New Zealand Trust is expected to support over 400 children in Levin, while the family mentoring programme provided by Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated is expected to support 100 children in Māngere.
The Social Investment Agency and its Leadership
The Social Investment Agency is responsible for managing the Social Investment Fund, which is a key part of the government’s social investment approach. The agency is led by Chief Executive Andrew Coster, who is currently on leave amid an investigation into his conduct in handling allegations against former police deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Despite the current leadership challenges, the agency remains committed to its mission of improving the lives of vulnerable New Zealanders through social investment. The agency’s work is critical to addressing the complex social issues facing New Zealand, and the funding announced today is an important step towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the announcement of the first round of funding for the Social Investment Agency is a significant step towards supporting vulnerable children in New Zealand. The seven organisations that will receive funding have demonstrated a strong understanding of the needs of the target groups and a clear plan for how they will use the funding to make a positive impact. The funding is part of the $190 million allocated to the Social Investment Fund in Budget 2025, and is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children in New Zealand. As the agency continues to work towards its mission of improving the lives of vulnerable New Zealanders, it is essential that it remains focused on delivering outcomes and measuring its success.