Social services ‘must be decentralised’

Press, 8 September 1976, Page 11

Social services ‘must be decentralised’

PA Wellington Social Services must be decentralised to become human, the chairman of the Council of Social Service, (Mr John KennedyGood) has said. Releasing the council’s report on the roles of the Government, local authorities, and voluntary agencies in social welfare. Mr Kennedy-Good said that greater responsibility should be given to people working at a lo'a! level.

A district p.un responsible for social services at a local community level has been suggested by the council as a means of “humanising” welfare services.

The plan would also give a structure for the growth of social services, and ensure that finances g-.ven out in the welfare area would get to the r.ght people, Mr KennedyGood said. “For too long there has been too much emphasis on corrective rather than preventative measures, we’ve got to get back to an examination of the fundamental causes to prevent social problems arising” The welfare plan would be prepared by the council with information on the welfare priorities of each city or town fed to it by all those working in the field. “This means the formation of district councils and a deveiopment of decision-making as far as possible to a local level,” Mr Kennedy-Good said. At present there are 15 district councils working within New Zealand, and it was hoped that the council’s report, which was a preliminary one, would encourage discussion. A large part of the success of the welfare plan would rest on the appointment of community workers to draw attention to local needs and encourage community response, Mr Kennedy-Good said. “The present rigidity of the Government is apparent in this area. They are committed to a policy that if a service is available it should, be available to everyone.”

Mr Kennedy-Good said he believed local councils would result in greater understanding and cooperation with local volu n t a r y organisations, rather than producing greater rivalry. Asked if the district councils would fuel greater parochial rivalries between cities, Mr Ken-nedy-Good said the order of priorities would be de-

cided by the council, not the districts. He believed they were capable of objective assessment. The efficiency of the system had to be looked at in terms of “the delivery' of services” and not of an efficient administration. “No doubt there will have to be a careful examination of the deployment of finances, but I believe that at present too many welfare decisions are made on emotional and political grounds.” Mr Kennedy-Good said the council supported a move away from institutions to community care. There would be no shortage of manpower because psychiatrists and medical people presently

in institutions eould be diffused into the community. However, there was a need for trained personnel and family helpers, but there should be no delay in providing trained people through community colleges. Mr Kennedy-Good said the council believed there should be a major extension of supportive services, and was aware that there might be Government opposition to an increased need for benefits. “We are not concerned about the reaction of the Government — if it ignores our recommendations then it will be a matter of public pressure to force a recognition of welfare needs.”