Family Works Tairāwhiti services is closing due to the loss of the Oranga Tamariki Youth High Needs contract, meaning eight jobs will be lost in the region.
The contract funded 40 percent of the Family Works Tairāwhiti services and Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) has invested an extra $1.3 million over the past five years to add more social worker support.
Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive for Māori partnerships and communities Darrin Haimona said that PSEC was informed last year by Oranga Tamariki that the funding would not be renewed for the Youth High Needs contract.
“Funding decisions are always guided by a set of principles which include ceasing services that no longer meet the needs of the community, where there is duplication or underutilisation, or where another government agency may have a clearer role,” Mr Haimona said.
“These decisions are never easy, and I want to acknowledge the mahi of those who work at the flax roots, supporting the goals and aspirations of tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa,” he said.
PSEC relies on government funding to keep its services free for people who need support.
The Hawke’s Bay-based organisation has dedicated 30 years of its 78 years of operating to serving this region through Family Works Tairāwhiti services.
Family Works Tairāwhiti is a government-approved service specialising in working with tamariki and whānau in need of support.
The services include safety planning and education, advocacy, parenting and relationship support, awhi mai, awhi atu — which supports nannies and koro raising mokopuna — building awesome whānau parenting classes, social and youth work, as well as non-violence programmes for wāhine and helping connect families with other services they might need.
Former PSEC employee Leslynne Jackson said she was saddened to learn that Family Works, a long-standing social service organisation, was closing its doors in Gisborne.
“It is sad for those families who will lose the support that they depend on, and it is also sad for the current staff of the organisation,” Mrs Jackson said.
“Whatever has led to the decision to close the services delivered by Family Works, what remains is the stubbornly high level of unmet social and health needs of whānau living in Tairāwhiti. The long tail of impacts left by Cyclone Gabrielle, and the other serious weather events, on our economy and infrastructure compounds the challenge of meeting the social and health needs of our families.
“Under these circumstances, any loss of services is hard to understand,” she said.
PSEC was not withdrawing from the region, said chief executive Sanja Majstorović.
“PSEC is committed to the region and is actively pursuing new service opportunities for Tairāwhiti communities in line with its vision: Communities reaching their potential,” Ms Majstorović said.
The Family Works Tairāwhiti team is contacting whānau who they are working with to discuss options for future support.
Ms Majstorović thanked the dedicated Family Works Tairāwhiti team.
“We acknowledge our Tairāwhiti colleagues. You are a professional, humble, gracious and talented group who will continue to positively impact our communities, because that is who you are — you are people helping people,” Ms Majstorovic said.
“You have gifted yourselves and your skills to fully serve the region through Family Works Tairāwhiti, thank you.
“I have no doubt that you will add value to any team you choose to join in future. Thank you for your aroha for people in our communities and for sharing our mission of social change on the East Coast.”
Family Works Tairāwhiti will close on May 24.
