Report shows scale of funding gap for social services providers
2 September 2019 - SSPA has today released an independent study into the gap between what the social serivce sector is funding to deliver and what it in fact delivers. Read more here.
Pay equity issues for NGO social workers
Morning Report and The Panel have featured items about the pay equity issues for NGO social workers. Listen here to the item on Morning Report which includes commentary from Barnardos CEO Mike Munnelly, ATWC CEO (and SSPA National Executive member) Judy Matai’a and SSPA National Manager Brenda Pilott. Listen here to Brenda Pilott speaking with Wallace Chapman on The Panel about pay equity.
Social services in rural and remote areas
Rural providers are working with complex social problems driven by isolation and compounded by poverty. They are often the only helping agency in small population centres. A new funding model is needed that supports the sustainability of providers working in rural and remote communities. Read more here
Social workers and pay equity
Social workers at Oranga Tamariki have authorised their union, the PSA, to pursue a pay equity claim. It is heartening to see this push for the proper recognition of the work of Oranga Tamariki social workers. But we also need to see the value of social work recognised across the profession. Otherwise, the existing inequity in social worker pay between Oranga Tamariki and the community sector will be exacerbated and NGOs will increasingly struggle to attract and retain social workers.
Brenda Pilott for SSPA, Trevor McGlinchey for NZCCSS and Ros Rice for Community Networks Aotearoa have written jointly to the Government and called for a fair funding model that would enable NGOs to remedy the pay inequity between NGO and Oranga Tamariki social workers. Read more in SSPA Alert 3 April 2018
Social worker registration requires a definition of the scope of practice
SSPA is encouraging social workers to call for a social worker scope of practice as part of mandatory registration.
Our submission says that without a definition of social work, the Social Workers Registration Legislation Bill will be seriously weakened, social workers could be disadvantaged, and the risks associated with an unregulated profession will remain. SSPA Alert 22 March 2018
NGO Social Service Workforce Project
SSPA is leading a project on the NGO social service workforce. This will give us a clearer understanding of the complexity of needs and pressures on services, and what these mean for providers and the workforce in terms of staffing levels and the skills and qualifications required across the sector. SSPA Alert 30 October 2017
SSPA considering changes to membership
The SSPA national executive is surveying members on possible changes to SSPA membership and governance. The following changes to membership are under consideration:
• eligibility for membership to include providers of services for children, young people and their families and communities funded by any government agency, not just MSD
• establishing a new category of affiliate members able to access the benefits but unable to play a part in government
• allowing individuals to join as affiliate members.
The survey is also seeking views on possible changes to governance, including whether the national executive should have:
• a mix of appointed and elected board members
• regional representation
• positions for tangata whenua
• a limit on how long someone can be an executive member.
The survey closes at the end of April.
Privacy Commissioner report
The Privacy Commissioner released his report on individual client-level data.
Alternative to client data proposed
ComVoices proposes to Ministers an alternative to individual client-level data that meets the needs of the social investment apporach. SSPA Alert 7 March 2017
SSPA submission on the Bill amending the CYPF Act
A summary of the main points of the SSPA submission to parliament on the proposed changes to the CYPF Act 1989. SSPA Alert 6 March 2017.
Privacy Commissioner to investigate individual data sharing
SSPA members and others have expressed concerns about the MSD proposal to require the collection and sharing of individual and identifiable client data. The Privacy Commissioner is looking into it and is inviting input from NGOs. SSPA Alert 30 January 2017
Social investment – are we getting it right?
Social investment seems to be the only game in town but it raises some big questions, says SSPA national manager Brenda Pilott. Scoop 17 January 2017.
Bill to overhaul CYPF Act
A Bill to change some of the fundamental aspects of the CYPF Act has been introduced to Parliament and is now being considered by Select Committee. SSPA Alert 20 December 2016
Communications survey
Results of a survey to find out what communications members receive from SSPA, who sees them, what’s useful and what’s not.
Identifiable client-level data
ComVoices, including SSPA, has released a paper on the implications of providing client personal information to MSD as a requirement of funding. SSPA Alert 22 November 2016
SSPA membership review
SSPA National Executive is consulting with members on a review of membership, including the possibility of widening eligibility so more organisations can join, allowing individual membership, and changing the fee structure. A discussion paper was sent to members in November 2016. A final report is due in May 2017.
Cabinet papers on CYPF released
The Minister of Social Development, Hon Anne Tolley, has released three Cabinet papers on the planned legislative changes to the CYFP Act. SSPA Alert October 2016.