O¯ taki health camp closes
Stand Children’s Services has confirmed it will close its children’s villages at O¯ taki Beach and Roxburgh.
The closures at the end of June mean 63 jobs will be lost across both regions and 380 children a year will miss out on the children’s village trauma-focused treatment programme.
“We are offering redundancy and staff can apply for any vacancy we have,” Stand chief executive Fiona Inkpen said.
“O¯ ranga Tamariki has also offered to identify employment opportunities for staff to consider.
“Our people understand the situation and are being courageous in working to keep supporting children.
“Their main concern is for the children and they’re deeply sad that the work they do can’t continue.
“Naturally they are anxious about their own futures as well.”
Financial pressures were behind the reason to close two of its seven children’s villages.
Stand hasn’t had a funding increase since 2009 and had been meeting operating shortfalls from its own reserves, then pressure increased last year following salary increases for the organisation’s staff.
“Stand has been topping up the shortfall in Government funding from its own funds for many years, using prudent financial management and the sale of unused land.
“Unfortunately our reserves are now used up and we have made the difficult decision after consulting with staff and the PSA to close two of our villages.
“Our hope is this will be a temporary measure and we will be working with O¯ ranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education to rebuild services in both regions.”
For the 2017/18 financial year, Stand and O¯ ranga Tamariki split the operating costs caused by the increase 50/50, however Stand would need $3 million extra, an increase of 18 per cent, to cover the pay rises, compensate for nine years of inflation, and added costs such as Kiwisaver, to keep the villages open.
Dr Inkpen said the government recognised the value of the organisation and its work, but the funding required could not be secured at this time because of restrictions on the government budget.
All children and families currently working with Stand would continue to receive the Intensive Family Wraparound Service.
“I want to reassure our children and families that Stand is not going anywhere,” Dr Inkpen said.
“The villages are one aspect of the services we provide, and while it is immensely sad to close these two facilities, our priority remains supporting children and families to be safe, healthy and functioning well.”