Our role and outcomes
We help New Zealand people and their families to be independent and strong, and we target support to those who need it. We help to build successful individuals, healthy families and thriving communities. We have a presence in almost every town and our staff have connections to every community.
Outcomes for 2011/2012
In response to the Government’s Delivering Better Public Services priority announced in March 2012, we have eight new Ministry outcomes. These are set out in the Ministry of Social Development’s 2012–2015 Statement of Intent.
In 2011/2012, however, we had six outcomes:
- more people get into work and stay in work
- more children are safe
- more young people stay on track
- reduced reoffending by young people
- improved quality of life for older people
- communities are better able to support themselves.
At some point our services touch the lives of all New Zealanders.
Our business
Our core business is to provide services to those in need, helping people to help themselves and to be successful in their lives. We do this through:
- the statutory care and protection of children and young people, youth justice services, adoption services and funding to community service providers
- employment and income support services, New Zealand Superannuation and the administration of New Zealand’s international welfare portability arrangements
- family services, which include support, information and advice for families and communities
- campaigns that challenge antisocial attitudes and behaviour
- student allowances and student loans
- access to affordable health care for older people, families and lower-income New Zealanders
- services to uphold the integrity of the welfare system and to minimise the debt levels of our clients
- leadership across the social sector
- funding to community service providers
- access to concessions and discounts for senior citizens and people with low incomes
- third-party monitoring of four Crown entities – the Children's Commissioner, the Families Commission, the New Zealand Artificial Limb Board and the Social Workers Registration Board
- support to statutory tribunals, advisory committees and boards including the Social Security Appeal Authority, the Student Allowance Appeal Authority, the Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal, the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families, the Work and Income Board, and Child, Youth and Family Residence Grievance Panels.
We are focused on delivering results more effectively through our own services and through our work with other government and non-government agencies.
