YOUTH WELFARE OFFICER SOUGHT

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32895, 19 April 1972, Page 18

YOUTH WELFARE OFFICER SOUGHT

A full-time youth welfare officer should be appointed by the Christchurch City Council as soon as possible, the chairman of the council’s welfare sub-committee (Cr A. F. Orme) said last evening.

The sub-committee would recommend to the welfare committee, Labour caucus, and the full city council that the position be advertised and filled as speedily as possible. “After meeting with 18 representatives of youth and welfare organisations in Christchurch, this evening,

the sub-committee feels that a definite case has been made for a youth officer,” Cr Orme said. It was proposed to model the new position on that of welfare officers employed by the City of London Corporation. “The council has a definite responsibility to the youth of Christchurch to help them adjust to the pressure of living in a city. The officer will look at the establishment of advice centres where people could go for information about employment, personal problems, accommodation, and help with drug abuse,” Cr Orme said. “People will be interviewed and referred to the appropriate agencies in the city. It will be the officer’s job to provide an atmosphere of help and welcome for new arrivals in Christchurch.” Mr Orme said he hoped the successful applicant would have a knowledge of Maori.