January 2020 - In the lead up to the general election, SSPA will be pushing for political party policies that respond to the issues we have been raising about fair funding and fair pay.  Here is the latest letter from SSPA National Manager Brenda Pilott to the key Ministers about making our sector one of the Budget priorities.

2 September 2019 - SSPA has today released an independent study into the gap between what the social service sector is funded to deliver and what it in fact delivers.  The study by MartinJenkins found the government is underfunding social service providers delivering services that are essential to the wellbeing of New Zealand children, families, whānau and communities by an estimated $630 million a year.  SSPA is calling on the government to take serious steps in Budget 2020 to close the funding gap, and to commit to working with social service providers and the philanthropic sector on the longer term issues that are identified, to achieve an effective and sustainable funding model that ensures the wellbeing of all New Zealanders. 

Read the full report here.

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. 

SSPA welcomes the landmark pay equity deal for Oranga Tamariki social workers and says it must also apply to social workers contracted by community organisations that deliver services to Oranga Tamariki.

“It is high time the value of social work was recognised and we congratulate the PSA, Oranga Tamariki and the Minister for Children for taking this step.  It must also be accompanied by a funding boost that will enable the community organisations contracted by Oranga Tamariki to pay equitable wages to the social workers they employ” says SSPA national manager Brenda Pilott.