Ministry of Social Development

Introduction

Role of the Ministry

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Te Manatu Whakahiato Ora, provides whole of social sector leadership and delivers policy advice and social services to improve social outcomes for children and young people, working age people, older people, and families and communities.

The Ministry provides social services to more than one million New Zealanders including:

• income support, employment services and NZ Superannuation through Work and Income
• student allowances and loans through Studylink
• services to rural clients through heartland Services
• Child, Youth and Family serving, New Zealand 's most vulnerable children, young people and their families, in particular those children and young people who have offended or who have been abused or neglected

The Ministry is also responsible for the:

• Ministry of Youth Development
• Office for Disability Issues
• Office for Senior Citizens
• Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector

The Ministry's Statement of Intent

The Ministry's Statement of Intent 2007/2008 sets out the strategic outlook for the next three years and has a number of clear linkages to the themes of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The Ministry's vision directly aligns with the Strategy's goal of an inclusive and non-disabling society.

In the area of Leading Social Development, the Ministry's whole-of-government approach works directly to influence a disability perspective in cross-sectoral issues.

Children and young people, including those with disabilities, are to be respected and valued, and have the opportunity to participate positively in society.

Working Age People unable to achieve economic independence should have adequate income and the opportunity to participate in paid work or life in their community. People should also be supported to access health services for themselves and their families.

Communities should be able to determine and achieve their vital and unique social, economic and cultural goals, including having a strong voice in decision making that impacts on their wellbeing, and having effective access to government services.

Accessible government

All government agencies are asked to prioritise actions to increase their accessibility to disabled people. This is about getting the basics right, so that disabled people can access government on the same basis as other people.

These actions support realisation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy's objective 6: foster an aware and responsive public service.

Four critical areas where disabled people interact with government agencies are:

• information – such as brochures, letters, publications, websites
• buildings – such as service centres, corporate offices
• services – such as face to face at a service centre, call centres, information electronically or hard copy
• as an employer – such as job application procedures, job descriptions, accommodations in workplaces, intranets.

Achievement story

Measuring website accessibility

In 2005 and 2006, the Office for Disability Issues commissioned Accease Ltd to survey selected government websites to determine the level of accessibility as experienced by disabled people. Access to information is a priority area for disabled people. With an increasing trend for government agencies to use the internet as the first and main mechanism to communicate information intended for the public, it is critical that websites are accessible. Otherwise, a significant proportion of New Zealand citizens will miss out.

The surveys used a combination of testing websites against the New Zealand Web Guidelines to check their technical compliance, and also user testing by people with a range of impairments. This presence of user testing was the focus of the survey, which sought to measure how well disabled people could use and access government information online.

The survey results found that while there is a positive improvement in website compliance with Web Guidelines, there remain access barriers experienced by disabled people. For example, complex websites and hard to find information, accessibility statements not as helpful as could be, search facilities not working well, key information only available in PDF format, and inconsistent feedback mechanisms. Other factors influencing the ability in getting information a person wants includes is the use of plain English, and focusing on communication information rather than strict adherence to a design style or brand.

Another finding was that a person's ability to use a website relates to their impairment. One website may be accessible to a blind person, for example, but not to a person with a mobility impairment.

A benefit in improving accessibility for disabled people is that the rest of the population will experience a greater ability and ease in using websites.

The State Services Commission partnered with the Office for Disability Issues for the 2006 survey, as they have the overall responsibility for promotion and monitoring of government web standards. This survey informed them of current performance. 

Accessible information

Outcome: Disabled people can access publicly available government information on the same basis as non-disabled people. Disabled people know about, access and use government information and services.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

1. Online information (internet and intranets)

Outcome: Disabled people can access publicly available government information on the same basis as non-disabled people. Disabled people know about, access and use government information and services.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

1. Online information (internet and intranets)

2. Hard copy information

3. Audio/visual resources

4. Other information

Accessible buildings

Outcome: Disabled people can visit, work, and move about independently in all government buildings and carry on ordinary activities there, on the same basis as others.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

1. Structural elements

2. Contact with the public

3. Workplace management

Accessible services

Outcome: Disabled people can access government services on the same basis as non-disabled people.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

1. Policy and practice

Being a good employer

Outcome: Government agencies provide equal opportunities in employment for disabled people to be recruited, retained, and promoted on the same basis as non-disabled people.

Employment Practice

The Ministry's EEO policy specifically recognises the need to identify and eliminate barriers that may be faced by a range of groups, including people with disabilities.

From MSD EEO Policy:

EEO is about removing barriers so all staff have opportunities to develop and progress in the workplace.  EEO practices lead to staffing within the Ministry of Social Development that reflects the values and composition of the community, assisting in improved policy development and service delivery.  

The Ministry recognises the need to proactively identify and eliminate practices, policies and procedures (or any institutional barriers) which may cause or perpetuate inequality on the following grounds: sex, marital status, religious belief, ethical belief, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, age, political opinion, employment status, family status or sexual orientation.

EEO Policy Principles

The Ministry will endeavor to include EEO principles into everyday staff and management practices by:

• Integrating EEO principles into the strategic and business planning process, ensuring that EEO is not a stand-alone practice.  
• Developing an environment where staff diversity is welcomed and valued.  
• Providing an environment where staff treat each other with respect and operate professionally.
• Developing Maori and Pacific staff in accordance with the Maori and Pacific People strategies.  
• Working to remove the barriers to participation faced by people with disabilities as set out in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
• Encouraging a diverse range of employees to work in the Ministry.
• Identifying and eliminating discriminatory practices based on sex, marital status, religious belief, ethical belief, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, age, political opinion, employment status, family status or sexual orientation.

Proactively seeking to reflect the ethnicity of the community in employees of the Ministry.

The Ministry's recruitment policy

The Ministry's recruitment policy is founded on a number of guiding principles that recognise that effective recruitment is one way that the Ministry builds its people capability. The guiding principles of our recruitment process and procedures are:

• selection on merit
• open, honest and transparent processes
• valuing diversity
• privacy for the individual

In practice, these principles mean that:

• The person best suited to the job is appointed to the position. (s60 State Sector Act 1988).
• Applicants are given sufficient information to allow clear and accurate understanding of the role.
• Recruitment and selection processes are open, consistent, and fair. Selection decisions are merit-based and do not discriminate (either directly or indirectly) or appear to discriminate. (s21 Human Rights Act 1993)
• Recruitment and selection processes are professional and objective, with selection based on relevant, specific selection criteria. All processes and recommendations are documented.
• The Ministry values diversity and works to build a people profile that reflects its communities and clients.
• The privacy of all people who express interest in a vacancy is protected.
• Ministry staff are encouraged to apply and be considered for positions within the organisation thus supporting retention and career development strategies.
• Ministry staff can seek a review of an appointment and there are clear procedures available to support this.

The Ministry's induction pack for new staff contains the following information on diversity and disability.

EEO and Diversity

The Ministry is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all staff. We seek to employ a diverse employee base with staff from all backgrounds holding many different beliefs. The benefits of this approach are that the Ministry recruits the best staff, and gets the best from staff. Also, our clients benefit from a diverse workforce who can relate to their needs, and our staff can be assured that everyone has equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

We aim to remove barriers to participation faced by people with disabilities, as set out in the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The Ministry is also dedicated to developing the skills and career paths of Maori and Pacific staff in keeping with the Ministry's Maori and Pacific peoples strategies. These strategies ensure that perspectives from these groups are incorporated into the MSD environment and the work we do.

Mainstream

We are actively involved in the Mainstream Supported Employment Programme, which is run by the State Services Commission. This programme aims to assist people with disabilities (who have been out of work) into meaningful, long-term, paid employment within selected State Sector organisations.

In 2005 one of the Ministry's Service Centres was awarded the Mainstream Employer of the Year for their commitment to the programme and their disabled staff member.

Employment Practice

2. Supports for disabled staff

Including a perspective

Government agencies that have social policy responsibilities should complete this section. A disability perspective should be routinely considered within ordinary policy development work that may directly, or indirectly, impact on disabled people.

What is a disability perspective?

A disability perspective is a viewpoint that considers the needs and aspirations of disabled people and their families/whānau. When you apply a disability perspective to a policy or service you are developing, you need to analyse the impact it will have on disabled people and their family/whānau.

In the past, government policy and programmes have often failed to consider disability perspectives. This has effectively prevented disabled people accessing opportunities and fully participating in society. Government policy and service development that reflects the realities of disabled people's lives can enhance their participation and independence. This contributes to a more inclusive society.

Cabinet requires all papers, where appropriate, to include a disability perspective.

When is it appropriate to include a disability perspective?

Any initiative that directly or indirectly affects disabled people, both within and outside government. Disabled people are present in all social environments - the home, work and the community – of all ages, and in all population groups, such as Maori, Pacific peoples. This means all legislation, policies, programmes and services will potentially impact on them.

Consultation with the disability sector should be considered, where appropriate. The Office for Disability Issues should also be involved on the same basis as other government agencies.

How do I learn more about what a disability perspective means?

The Office for Disability Issues has produced an online resource that explains Cabinet requirements to include a disability perspective in policy development.

This resource can be accessed on the Office website at:
http://www.odi.govt.nz/resources/guides-and-toolkits/disability-perspective.html

Achievement story

Please tell us about an achievement of your agency in 2005-2006 to include a disability perspective in new policy or service development, what this involved, any consultation with disability sector organisations, and the effect the policy or service has had/or will have on disabled people.

In April 2006 The Best of Care? An Independent Review of Issues at the Interface of Disability Support and Care and Protection was received by CYF and DSD from independent consultants. This review was based on extensive consultation with agencies and individuals (140) from within the disability sector.

A working group from Child, Youth and Family and Ministry of Health's Disability Service Directorate subsequently developed a joint CYF/DSD Work Programme. This marks a demonstrable commitment by CYF and DSD to achieving better outcomes for those children and young people with disabilities who come to their attention.

The purpose of the work programme is to develop a Memorandum of Understanding supported by a policy and operational framework. This will facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for children and young people with disabilities and their families who are involved with CYF and DSD. This will include a focus on engaging families earlier. The aim is to complete the work programme by June 2009.

Policy making and service development

Outcome: Government agencies' policy development shows analysis of the impact upon disabled people. Disabled people experience an increase in their well-being and ability to participate in society as the result of government policy.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

Implementation beyond your agency

Outcome: Government agencies promote action to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy in other agencies within their monitoring and/or reporting responsibility.

Please describe against the suggested action outputs what your agency planned to do in the year ending June 2007, what your actual achievements were, and what you plan to work on for the year ending June 2008.
Grey highlighted action outputs are new this year.

Leading work that makes a difference

This section is for agencies to describe key work that you are leading that makes a difference in the lives of disabled people. This work may be directly relating to disabled people, or it may be for all people but have a strong impact on disabled people.

You should use this template to:

• describe your planned work
• report progress against previously planned work and/or new work undertaken since the last plan.

There are separate sections for you to record any specific activities in support of:

• New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006
• National Health Committee's 2003 report: To Have an ‘Ordinary' Life: Community membership for adults with an intellectual disability.

You may like to consider whether you can plan implementation action over several years, with milestone dates that you can report progress against annually. There may be a wider goal that your agency is working towards that several pieces of work may contribute to, and you should refer to this goal in the following template.

Achievement story

Signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

1. Over the five years of negotiations on the Convention, the Office for Disability Issues and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, prior to each meeting of the United Nations Ad hoc Committee, developed briefing documents for the New Zealand delegation to support its participation in the negotiations.

The briefings required consultation with relevant government agencies and key disability sector organisations, generally and on specific issues within their expertise. Information derived from the consultations informed the New Zealand delegation and its negotiations.

Also consulted were the Human Rights Commission, the Mental Health Commission, and the Families Commission.

Disability sector organisations consulted were: DPA, Association of Blind Citizens, IHC Advocacy, NZCCS, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind; New Zealand representatives of Disabled Persons International and Inclusion International.

The Convention negotiations process involved international disability organisations, and disabled people were included in official delegations.

This was a significant factor influencing the successful adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Convention – the involvement of disabled people and disability sector organisations in the negotiations. It was disabled people who called for the Convention in the first place, due to the lack of effectiveness of current human rights instruments in protecting the rights of disabled people.

The participation of NGOs was unprecedented and very successful. The candid contributions of disabled people underpinned the process and reaffirmed why the task of producing a workable outcome was so critical. The process will set the benchmark for future standards and action both in the disability community and at the United Nations.

New Zealand made efforts to model this approach of partnerships with disabled people. Our delegations consistently included two to four disabled people from the NGO sector throughout the process. We provided funding for the Voluntary Fund (which financially assisted NGOs from developing countries to attend meetings) and ongoing support for the NGO-produced daily summaries of the debate, which made available detailed summaries on the internet so disabled people could follow the discussions closely around the world.

Moreover, some New Zealanders represented international organisations and had a high profile in the negotiations. Robert Martin was the first person with an intellectual disability to speak formally at the United Nations which he did on behalf of Inclusion International.

On 30 March 2007, in recognition of this partnership approach, the New Zealand delegation to the Convention signing ceremony included a disability sector representative as well as a government official.

1) Social Services Policy

1) Working New Zealand: Work-Focused Support- Support and Services

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2006-June 2007

b) Please describe this work

Policy work has continued on reforming the social support system to increase opportunities for people to participate in the labour market while continuing to provide social and financial support as needed. In 2006-07 the Working New Zealand : Work-Focused Support package has included making improvements to supports for disabled people and carers, e.g.

•  enhancing access to and responsiveness of employment and training programmes (April 2007)

•  establishing disability advisors and health advisors to support case managers working with disabled people and people with ill health (August 2007)

•  simplifying and aligning the residency eligibility criteria across all benefits – this will reduce the residency requirement for eligibility for Invalid's Benefit from 10 to two years (July 2007)

•  extending eligibility for the Domestic Purposes Benefit: for the Care of Sick and Infirm to include people who would otherwise require care in a community residential service, rest home or equivalent levels of care in the community (July 2007)

•  extending the provision that allows blind people receiving Invalid's Benefit to continue receiving the benefit for up to two years while overseas for vocational or guide dog training to all people receiving Invalid's Benefit in similar circumstances. (September 2007)

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The work aims to support disabled people to gain, retain or resume sustainable employment as their circumstances allow, in order to improve their economic independence. The changes to benefit rules extend financial supports to more severely disabled people and carers of severely disabled people.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the Government's goals for Families Young and Old and Economic Transformation.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Please describe progress targets and milestone dates for reporting against.

Refer to response to question b

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

3, 4, 6, 15

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the high level outcome in the Statement of Intent for Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

2) Working New Zealand: Work-Focused Support – Structure and Additional Financial Support

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2007-June 2008

b) Please describe this work

Further policy work will be undertaken on reforming the social support system to increase opportunities for people to participate in the labour market while continuing to provide social and financial support as needed. In 2007/08 the Working New Zealand: Work-Focused Support package will include:

•  enhancing case management practices, information gathering and decision making in order to more quickly match people's individual circumstances and needs to the type of services and income support that will best assist them

•  workforce development to improve staff capability to support disabled people and people with ill health

•  improving linkages and services to employers to encourage employment of disabled people and people with ill health

•  purchasing new or additional health and disability services to support people to move into or resume work.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The work aims to support disabled people to gain, retain or resume sustainable employment as their circumstances allow, in order to improve their economic independence.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the Government's goals for Families Young and Old.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Reports to Cabinet or Joint Ministers as directed by Cabinet or Joint Ministers. No deliverable dates have been set.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

3, 4, 6, 7

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the high level outcome in the Statement of Intent for Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

3) Improving access to Out of School Services for Children with disabilities – Developing a Five-Year Action Plan for Out of School Services

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2007-June 2008

b) Please describe this work

Forming part of Government's Choices for Living, Caring and Working ten-year plan of action, the Ministry of Social Development has been directed to develop a Five-Year Action Plan for Out of School Services, in consultation with other Choices agencies and the Families Commission. One of the key deliverables is to ensure that Out of School Services are reliable, at convenient locations and should be accessible to children with a disability and other special educational needs.

e draft Five-Year Action Plan for Out of School Services was released for public consultation in June 2007. Actions announced for year one of the plan are:

•  Establish a group of experts to consider national standards for Out of School Services (due to report in April 2008)

•  Enhance current approvals process and actively promote the standards for approval for OSCAR programmes (during 2007)

•  Review the administration and funding of Out of School Services (beginning July 2007)

•  Establish 12 Extended Services - activity-based out of school programmes for five to14 year olds at low decile schools (between January 2008 and January 2010).

Actions for years 2 to 5 of the plan include proposals (subject to government funding) that will improve the accessibility and affordability of Out of School Services for children and young people with a disability and their families .

•  Provide subsidies and grants for approved small-scale and home based services.

•  Provide subsidies to all families to all families who earn less than a certain amount and use approved Out of School Services, regardless of their employment status.

•  Fund an inclusion Support programme for children and young people with disabilities and those at risk of poor outcomes.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

Improving access to OSCAR services will increase the opportunities for participation and social inclusion of disabled children, and increase the support and choices for their families.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to the Government's goals for Families Young and Old and Choices for Living, Caring and Working a ten-year plan of action to improve the caring and employment choices available to parents and carers.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

• Consultation on draft Action Plan closes on 22 July 2007
• Report to government on consultation before end of 2007

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

13, 15

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the high level outcome in the Statement of Intent for Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

4) Carers Strategy

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2007-June 2008

b) Please describe this work

The Ministry of Social Development and the Carers Alliance, a network of 41 non-profit organisations, will work together with other government agencies over the coming year to build a national Carers Strategy that will identify and address any policy or service gaps, over a five-year period.

Widespread public consultation will be held in July to September 2007 to seek the views of carers, those they care for, employers and wider society.

Particular issues identified by New Zealand carers include improving support for carers, improving information about caring and helping carers to combine employment and caring responsibilities, or to make the transition to paid employment once their family circumstances allow.

The Strategy will be launched in 2008 and will set the strategic direction for the development of policies and service towards carers. There will be a five-year action plan to support implementation.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The work aims to develop a national strategy that will improve support to carers, including carers of disabled people.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to the Government's goals for Families Young and Old and Choices for Living, Caring and Working a ten-year plan of action to improve the caring and employment choices available to parents and carers.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

• Eight week consultation launched on 23 July 2008
• Report back to Cabinet by March 2008 with proposals for the Carers' Strategy and 5 year action plan.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

15

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the high level outcomes in the Statement of Intent for:

• Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

• Families and Whānau – families and whānau are strong and richly interconnected with their communities. They are able to support the wellbeing, identity, participation and interdependence of their children.

5) The Early Years Intervention approach

a) What time period does this work cover?

The Early Years Intervention approach is a medium-term initiative that aims to achieve a comprehensive early years intervention system for all children aged 0 to 6 years.

b) Please describe this work

The Early Years Intervention approach is a cross-government approach to developing an early years intervention system for all children aged 0 to 6 years, and their families and whānau. The approach is led by the Ministry of Social Development (in conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Education and Justice) and involves the child and family services sector. It includes services from across the health, education and social services sectors. Building the system requires progressively expanding current services and developing new initiatives across government. Action is required in three areas:

•  improving the provision and coverage of key early years services

•  ensuring effective delivery of services

•  improving system capacity and capability.

The approach also includes work to improve the way early years services, (including universal, targeted and intensive services) identify young children with additional needs, assess their needs and respond to those needs.

The Early Years Intervention approach aims to improve the following outcomes for children:

•  Attachment and Belonging – children enjoy secure attachment to family and whānau

•  Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing – children enjoy good physical and mental health

•  Safety – children are safe and free from abuse, neglect, family violence, or death from injury

•  Knowledge and Skills – children are supported to reach their potential

•  Participation – children are given the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them now and in the future.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

As part of addressing the coverage of key early years services, gaps in the provision of parenting support also need to be addressed through the Early Years Intervention approach. Parents in vulnerable circumstances, such as those with disabilities associated with other high support needs, those with mental health problems including alcohol or other drugs, refugees with young children, and teenage parents, are amongst those who can be supported to strengthen their parenting skills.

Disability-related groups within the scope of the Early Years Intervention approach include:

•  children from pre-birth to their transition to school with disabilities

•  children from pre-birth to their transition to school who have parent/s or caregivers with disabilities

•  families with disabled children from pre-birth to their transition to school.

This work will also be informed by the Office for Disability Issues' Review of Long Term Disability Support Services.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

The Early Years Intervention approach underpins Government's commitment to ensuring all New Zealanders can fulfil their potential, prosper and participate in the life of their communities. Giving our Children the Best Start in Life and Eliminating Family Violence are priority issues within the Families - Young and Old theme. Early intervention is also the primary prevention strategy for the priority issue Effective Interventions in the Justice Sector.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

In addition to the specific evaluations of early years intervention services and programmes, the Centre for Social Research and Evaluation (CSRE) will undertake research activities to begin to build a picture of the early years intervention system and will collect evidence that the Early Years Intervention approach has contributed to changes in outcomes for children, their families and whānau. Using secondary data sources, we will monitor progress towards improved outcomes for children, families and whānau at a population level.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual

Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives

Objective 15: Value families, whānau and people providing ongoing support

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

The Early Years outcomes framework links with the following high level outcomes based on the MSD Statement of Intent, the Family Services National Advisory Council's outcomes hierarchy and the Investing in Child and Youth Development outcomes:

•  Children and Young People – all children flourish in childhood, are respected and valued, have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate positively in society now and in the future.

•  Families and Whānau – families and whānau are strong and richly interconnected with their communities. They are able to support the wellbeing, identity, participation and interdependence of their children.

2) Social Development Policy and Knowledge

1) Disability Research Project

a) What time period does this work cover?

2005 to 2007

b) Please describe this work

This is a research project designed to enhance knowledge about the costs associated with disability in New Zealand . It will explore how costs vary by individual needs and circumstances. Research activities include a review of international literature on models for disability support, a review of literature on disability discrimination, and development of an economic model of costs associated with disability. The research methodology for the economic model is based on a social model of disability and uses a budget standards approach.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

This research project will enhance knowledge and awareness of the types and amounts of costs associated with disability in New Zealand .

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

See response to question f.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured? Please describe progress targets and milestone dates for reporting against.

Outcomes from this research are:

•  Review report of international literature on models for disability support. Report received December 2005.

•  Review report of literature on discrimination related to disability. Report received June 2006.

•  Main research report due late 2007.

•  Academic papers based on the research will follow after MSD receives the main research report (ie, late 2007 and onwards).

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

The Cost of Disability research links closely with Objectives 5 and 10 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The work fosters leadership by disabled people, ie Objective 5, and disabled people are involved in all stages of the research.

The research team includes disabled people, and a reference group, primarily comprising disabled people who have broad knowledge of the disability and chronic illness sectors, will inform the work. The research will collect information about disabled people and disability issues, in an area where information is currently lacking. This advances Objective 10: Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work is relates to the following part of the Ministry of Social Development's Statement of Intent: Provide a well-developed evidence base that leads to improved understanding of complex social issues.

2) Pathways to Inclusion Strategy Evaluation

a) What time period does this work cover?

2006 to 2007

b) Please describe this work

Current work being undertaken by MSD on the evaluation adds to work previously done by the Department of Labour (DoL). DoL produced a baseline analysis of how vocational service providers and users were responding to initiatives in the Pathways to Inclusion strategy.

MSD will produce a report which follows the progress of service providers and users against indicators used in the baseline analysis. Administrative data will also be used to produce a picture of the people who access MSD vocational services, and the outcomes they are achieving.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The Pathways to Inclusion strategy aims to increase participation of disabled people in employment and in their communities. Pathways to Inclusion signalled a new direction for vocational service providers. The evaluation seeks to assess how vocational service providers and users have responded to this signal.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

See answer to f).

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured? Please describe progress targets and milestone dates for reporting against.

An interim evaluation findings report was produced in late 2006. A final evaluation report is expected to be completed in late 2007.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Pathways to Inclusion represents the Government's response to the findings of the 2000 Vocational Services Review and links closely with Objective 4 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) which seeks to:

“Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people and enable disabled people to work in the open labour market (in accordance with human rights principles) and maintain adequate income.”

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work is relates to the following part of the Ministry of Social Development's Statement of Intent: Provide a well-developed evidence base that leads to improved understanding of complex social issues.

The Vocational Services Review focussed upon the vocational services funded through Work and Income, and included services that offered employment, training and community participation or ‘day services'.

3) Living Standards and Disability

a) What time period does this work cover?

The survey data that the analysis is based on were obtained in 2004. The analysis and reporting are being done in 2007.

b) Please describe this work

This project uses data collected in the Living Standards Survey 2004. The analysis describes the economic standard of living of people across a spectrum of disability severity for the whole working-age population and for subgroups defined by family type (couples without children, etc).

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

This research will improve our knowledge about measuring economic standard of living of disable people and will provide evidence about the factors that associated with low standard of living in the disabled population.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

The evidence from this work is expected to contribute to the current Review of Long Term Disability Support Services.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured? Please describe progress targets and milestone dates for reporting against.

A report containing the findings from the analysis is expected to be produced in May 2007.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

The analysis supports Objectives 6 and 10 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy: (6) Foster an aware and responsive public service; (10) Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work is relates to the following part of the Ministry of Social Development's Statement of Intent: Provide a well-developed evidence base that leads to improved understanding of complex social issues.

4) The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy

a) What time period does this work cover?

The Strategy was launched in 2001. Each year the Office for Senior Citizens produces a report and action plan. The 2006/2007 Annual Report and 2007/2008 Action Plan will be published in September 2007. This work is ongoing.

b) Please describe this work

The Office for Senior Citizens is responsible for promoting and reporting on the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy, which is the Government's framework for supporting positive ageing in New Zealand .

The Office works with business units within the Ministry of Social Development, other government departments, and local councils, to help them identify work items that will support positive ageing, for inclusion in each annual Action Plan.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

Awareness of the different needs of the ageing population in policy development is increased though the work items in the Strategy's action plans, which in turn improves the wellbeing of older people including those living with disabilities. Any initiative that promotes positive ageing is likely to have a positive affect on older people who are disabled, because more than half of the older population lives with some level of disability.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

1) This work contributes to the Families – Young and Old government priority sub-theme Positive Ageing.

2) New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy action plans have work items under the following Strategy goals of particular reference to older people living with disabilities as well making a difference for people who develop a disability as they age :

•  Goal 2, Health – equitable, timely, affordable and accessible health services for older people, e.g. ACC's Falls Prevention programmes such as Tai Chi;

•  Goal 4, Transport – Affordable and accessible transport options for older people, e.g. Ministry of Transport's project to evaluate public transport accessibility

•  Goal 5, Ageing in Place – Older people feel safe and secure and can age in place e.g. ASPIRE project to support older people to remain living in their own home safely

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy action plans are reported on annually to Cabinet.

The Older People's Policy group is working in partnership with the Office for Senior Citizens to develop Positive Ageing Indicators to measure the current status of older people's living standards and future improvements to their situation. The Indicators will be launched in August 2007 and will be reported on every five years, in the year after the Census is taken. This work will measure the improvement of the situation for older people in New Zealand over time.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Promotion of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy supports nine objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. They are: Objectives, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy contributes to the following outcomes in the Statement of Intent:

•  older people have sufficient income

•  older people are free from abuse and neglect

•  older people are supported to live independently

•  older people can choose to work or undertake education or training

•  older people in crisis or emergency are supported.

5) Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Bill

a) What time period does this work cover?

In 2004, the Minister for Senior Citizens directed the Office for Senior Citizens to review the Enduring Power Of Attorney (EPA) provisions, which form Part IX of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights (PPPR) Act 1988. The Office for Senior Citizens has developed an Amendment Bill to implement changes to the PPPR Act. The Bill is currently before the Social Services Select Committee. The Bill has priority 2 on the Legislative Programme, to be passed in 2007.

b) Please describe this work

The purpose of the Bill is to:

• strengthen the legislation (consistently with the drafting of other Parts of the principal Act) so that the welfare and rights of vulnerable people are better protected
• replace the EPA forms and notes in Schedule 3 of the principal Act with prescribed forms in regulations.

The proposed amendments will:

• allow for better guidance in the creation of an EPA
• clarify the process for activation
• tighten provisions relating to gifting under an EPA
• provide easier access to the Courts for anyone with concerns about an attorney's actions.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The Amendment Bill aims to address public concerns that the enduring powers of attorney are open to misuse and abuse, and do not adequately protect the property and personal rights of older people. This is of particular relevance to older people and other people who may be prevented by disability from easily communicating their preferences and decisions to other people, because these people are more vulnerable to abuse by an attorney. The Bill will improve the protection of the rights and interests of vulnerable people.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to the Families – Young and Old government priority, sub-theme Positive Ageing.

This work supports New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy: Goal 5 – Older people feel safe and secure and can age in place.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

The Bill is currently before the Social Services Select Committee. The Committee is due to report back on the Bill by 6 June 2007 . The measurement of achieving this work will be the successful passage of the Bill through Select Committee to enactment.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work supports New Zealand Disability Strategy: Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people, Action 2.6 - Investigate the level of access that disabled people have to independent advocacy, and address any shortfall in service provision.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

The Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Bill contributes to the following outcomes in the Statement of Intent:

• older people are free from abuse and neglect
• older people are supported to live independently.

6) Review of Long-Term Disability Supports: Office of Disability Issues

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2006 – July 2007

b) Please describe this work

The Office for Disability Issues is leading a cross-government project to review provision of long-term disability supports (the Review). The Review will provide advice to government on ways to improve the way these supports are provided. A programme of work will be developed to promote coherence with the New Zealand Disability Strategy and equity across government-funded disability supports.

c) What difference will this work make to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities?

Having access to appropriate support, in ways that enable disabled people to make ordinary choices and pursue their own life paths, lays the foundation for full participation in education, work, and in home, civic and community life.

Programmes resulting from the Review will help disabled people and their whānau to enjoy the ordinary opportunities, choices, responsibilities and rights that other New Zealanders have.

The Review is particularly concerned with ensuring that people with disabilities have choice and control over their own lives, and are able to exercise this. This can be as fundamental as having access to information in appropriate formats through to ensuring that the right supports are available.

In addition, the Review is trying to address particular issues such as the transition period when leaving school and the support provided to children as they make decisions about their futures. This has particular relevance to people with intellectual disabilities who often end up staying at school due to inappropriate or inaccessible programmes.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work also contributes to/will help to inform:

•  the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy

•  the development of the Carers Strategy

•  reviews of disability support services in partner agencies (Ministries of Health, Education, Social Development, Department of Labour, and ACC).

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

A report to Ministers is due at the end of July 2007. The Minister for Disability Issues expects this report to contain explicit recommendations for what will be delivered for disabled people. Progress will be measured if the Minister accepts the report and approves the recommendations.

Once approved, a Cabinet paper will be developed.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Objective 7: create long-term support systems centred on the individual.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

The Ministry of Social Development's statement of intent has a goal of “Leading Social Development” and includes a priority of co-ordinating ‘policy development across the social sector to promote the Government's three priorities of economic transformation, families – young and old, and national identity, for the next decade'.

This work connects with this as it is a cross-agency piece of work that will help improve the lives of disabled people. By improving the disability support system, disabled people are able to enjoy the ordinary opportunities, choices, responsibilities and rights are available, disabled people are able to participate in the social and economic life of our communities.

3) Child, Youth and Family

1) CYF/DSD work programme- a response to “The Best of Care?” review

a) What time period does this work cover?

2006-2009

b) Please describe this work

A joint Child, Youth and Family(CYF) and Ministry of Health- Disability Services Directorate(DSD) Work Programme has been developed in response to “The Best of Care?” review of the interface between the two agencies. This programme will result in a signed Memorandum of Understanding supported by a clear policy and operational framework. The scope of the programme has allowed for consideration to be given to the provision of advocacy for children and young people with disabilities.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

This work will facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for children and young people with disabilities and their families who are involved with CYF and DSD.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the wider goal as identified in CYF's strategic document, Leading for Outcomes, of improving life outcomes for the disabled children we work with.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Progress targets, measures and milestone dates are being developed.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work programme is mandated by The New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001) as it supports the achievement of a number of the Strategy's Objectives including Objectives 1,2,6,7,10, and 15.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work programme supports the Government's priorities for the next decade through the theme of Families – Young and Old, and the sub themes of:

• Strong families
• Healthy confident kids
• Better health for all

This work programme also supports the achievement of a number of CYF's priorities for the 2006/2007 year as identified in its Statement of Intent. The implementation of the work programme will result in better supports and processes for children and young people with disabilities thereby reducing time in care through:

• Supporting family and whanau to look after their own children and young people
• Working towards achieving more stability and permanency in children and young peoples' lives
• Supporting early intervention and prevention
• Continuing to develop a more integrated approach to children and young people who receive our services

This work programme is in line with the CYF Care and Protection Framework (2006), through being child centred, family-led, culturally responsive, and strength and evidence based.

This work programme is linked into the CYF Service Development Work Plan for 2006/2007 under the Care and Protection team's Work Plan activities of Disability and Responding to emerging issues.

2) Supporting parents with disabilities

a) What time period does this work cover?

2004 and work is on-going

b) Please describe this work

CYF has taken a lead role in developing a pilot service which has the aim of supporting parents with specifically intellectual disabilities to continue to meet the needs of their children and to retain or resume the care of their children, where possible. Where children have come into care, the service is to support parents to have meaningful involvement with their children.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

This work will facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for children and young people whose parents have intellectual disabilities and who are involved with CYF and the Ministry of Health. Parents with intellectual disabilities will be supported to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the wider goal of improving disability support services through creating long-term support systems centred on the individual and achieving permanency for children involved with CYF.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Progress targets, measures and milestone dates are being developed.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work programme is mandated by The New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001) as it supports the achievement of a number of the Strategy's Objectives including Objectives 1,2,6,7,10, and 15.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work programme supports the Government's priorities for the next decade through the theme of Families – Young and Old, and the sub themes of:

• Strong families
• Healthy confident kids
• Better health for all

This work programme also supports the achievement of a number of CYF's priorities for the 2006/2007 year as identified in its Statement of Intent. The implementation of the work programme will result in better supports and processes for children and young people with disabilities thereby reducing time in care through:

• Supporting family and whanau to look after their own children and young people
• Working towards achieving more stability and permanency in children and young peoples' lives
• Supporting early intervention and prevention
• Continuing to develop a more integrated approach to children and young people who receive our services

This work programme is in line with the CYF Care and Protection Framework (2006), through being child centred, family-led, culturally responsive, and strength and evidence based.

This work programme is linked into the CYF Service Development Work Plan for 2006/2007 under the Care and Protection team's Work Plan activities of Disability and Responding to emerging issues.

3) Supporting parents with mental health issues

a) What time period does this work cover?

2004 and the work is on-going

b) Please describe this work

CYF has taken a lead role in developing a pilot service which has the aim of supporting parents with mental health issues to continue to meet the needs of their children and to retain or resume the care of their children, where possible. Where children have come into care, the service is to support parents to have meaningful involvement with their children.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

This work will facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for children and young people whose parents have mental health issues and who are involved with CYF and the Ministry of Health. Parents with mental health issues will be supported to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the wider goal of improving disability support services through creating long-term support systems centred on the individual and achieving permanency for children involved with CYF.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Progress targets, measures and milestone dates are being developed.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work programme is mandated by The New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001) as it supports the achievement of a number of the Strategy's Objectives including Objectives 1,2,6,7,10,13 and 15.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work programme supports the Government's priorities for the next decade through the theme of Families – Young and Old, and the sub themes of:

• Strong families
• Healthy confident kids
• Better health for all

This work programme also supports the achievement of a number of CYF's priorities for the 2006/2007 year as identified in its Statement of Intent. The implementation of the work programme will result in better supports and processes for children and young people with disabilities thereby reducing time in care through:

Supporting family and whanau to look after their own children and young people

• Working towards achieving more stability and permanency in children and young peoples' lives
• Supporting early intervention and prevention
• Continuing to develop a more integrated approach to children and young people who receive our services

This work programme is in line with the CYF Care and Protection Framework (2006), through being child centred, family-led, culturally responsive, and strength and evidence based.

This work programme is linked into the CYF Service Development Work Plan for 2006/2007 under the Care and Protection team's Work Plan activities of Disability and Responding to emerging issues.

4) Work and Income

1) Pathways to Inclusion: Implementing the Government’s Policy on Vocational Services for Disabled People

What time period does this work cover?

a) 2005/2006, however with the Repeal of the Disabled Persons' Employment Promotion Act, 1960, it was determined that the implementation of ‘Pathways to Inclusion' be extended to 30 November 2007 .

Please describe this work

b) Pathways to Inclusion sets out the Government's policy for the development of vocational services for disabled people. The two overarching goals of the policy are

• to increase the participation of disabled people in employment, and
• to increase the participation of disabled people in their communities.

The Pathways policy which was launched in 2001and was formulated after extensive consultations with users and providers of vocational services. Work and Income's National Contracts, contracts with organisations to provide employment and community participation services to disabled people. These services were described in the 2001 document as lacking in direction and unsure of what government funding was supposed to be use for.

What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

c) Pathways had a five year implementation period which was extended to 30 November 2007 . Since the launch of Pathways, services funded under this strategy have increased in number, delivered higher quality services and are more focused on employment outcomes for disabled people.

This has enabled approximately 9,000 disabled people to be placed and supported into employment, compared with a total of 3,000 disabled people at the beginning of the Pathways implementation period. The improvements in community participation services have led to the development of person-centred planning and have overwhelmingly increased the time that disabled people spend in the community, rather than in segregated settings.

In addition, Work and Income has enabled the provision of transition from school services for young people with high and complex needs to be offered to all those young people who have been verified by the Ministry of Education as having Very High Needs under the Ongoing Reviewable Resourcing Scheme.

One of the aims of Pathways was the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act (1960) which exempted people working in designated sheltered workshops from being paid the minimum wage and in some cases from being eligible for holidays. This Act was repealed in March this year and is a major step in ensuring that disabled people are treated as individuals with the same rights and obligations as all other New Zealanders.

What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

d) This work contributes to the high level outcome in the Statement of Intent for Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

e) The Centre for Social Research and Evaluation (part of the Ministry) on the 25 October 2006 , conducted an interim evaluation of the Pathways policy, and it is anticipated that a follow-up evaluation be carried out in November 2007.

The interim evaluation is based upon data already held by the Ministry combined with information from the reports of providers and reviews of service quality commissioned by the Ministry and carried out by the Standards and Monitoring Services. Inter alia this interim evaluation has shown that there was a 0.01% decrease in the number of people using community participation services; a 19% decrease in the number of people in sheltered employment; a 223% increase in the number of people making use of employment services and an overall increase in the number of people making use of the sector of 37%. The majority of the people who used vocational services in the 2005/2006 year were receiving the Invalids Benefit (68%) or the Sickness Benefit (8%). Benefit duration data for vocational services users shows a picture of long-term benefit receipt, however the users of employment services generally had shorter benefit durations that those people using either community participation services or in sheltered work.

An examination of the reasons given for receiving the Invalids or the Sickness Benefit shows that most people who access vocational services have an intellectual disability (39%) or a psychological or psychiatric condition (24%) recorded as their primary reason for receiving the benefit.

The follow-up evaluation in November 2007 will make use if the service reviews, carried out by Standards and Monitoring Service (‘SAMS'), which rely upon discussions with service users. Transition services are also being reviewed by SAMS and it is likely that an assessment of these services will form part of the final evaluation.

What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

f) Pathways supports Object 4 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy; “provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people” and “enable disabled people to work in the open labour market (in accordance with human rights principles) and maintain an adequate income.”

g) This work connects with the high level outcome of the Ministry, as stated in its Statement of Intent;

‘Disabled people and those with ill-health have the same opportunities, choices, responsibilities and rights as other people living in New Zealand '.

2) Working New Zealand, Work Focused Support: Support and Services for People in Work Development Support and Community Support Service Streams projec

a) What time period does this work cover?

1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008

b) Please describe this work

The project will build on earlier work under the SB / IB Strategy and DPB / WB reforms, and will deliver further refinements to Work and Income's services for people in the Work Development Support and Community Support service streams.

The Work Development Support group comprises of clients who are not currently able to work but who may be able to work in the future with the right support in the right job. This group includes people on a Sickness Benefit (SB), Invalid's Benefit (IB), Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) or Widow's Benefit (WB).

The Community Support group comprises of those clients whose circumstances are such that they should not reasonably be expected to work in the foreseeable future. This includes people on IB who have the most severe ill-health, disabilities or a terminal illness, and people receiving the Domestic Purposes Benefit: Care of Sick or Infirm (DPB:CSI).

Changes will be made to staff training and recruitment to increase their knowledge of people with ill health and/or disability. The purpose of this work area is to build the front line capability required to deliver the new service. This will enable MSD to deliver services to clients in the Work Development Support and Community Support streams.

These services will be tailored to clients' individual needs and circumstances from their first point of contact with Work and Income, through to their transition into employment where necessary .

Key to the success of this work area will include:

• the development of a qualifications framework to increase the knowledge of frontline staff working with people with ill-health or/or disability
• the development of comprehensive training modules to orient front-line staff to the new way of working with clients in the Work Development Support and Community Support streams
• a review of case manager recruitment criteria (ensuring the right people are delivering the service).

A number of new roles will be introduced at a national, regional and local level:

National Office

• Principal Health Advisor (1) – will provide expert medical advice and support across Work and Income and the wider Ministry, as well as improving our ability to engage effectively with other government agencies and non-government agencies involved in health and disability service delivery.

• Principal Disability Advisor (1) - will provide expert advice from a disability and social perspective on the design and delivery of services and support for disabled clients across Work and Income and the wider Ministry.

Regions

• Regional Health and Disability Co-ordinators (13) - will develop and maintain relationships with health practitioners and disability providers at a regional level
• Regional Health Advisors (13) – will work within Work and Income, providing advice to case managers on applications for income support and/or services due to issues associated with ill-health
• Regional Disability Advisors (13) – will work within Work and Income, providing advice to case managers on applications for income support and/or services due to issues associated with disability.
• Additional Employment Co-ordinators (55 new, 12 existing) –at the Service Centres will build and maintain relationships with employers and external agencies to improve their knowledge about the value of employing a diverse workforce including people with ill-health and disabled people.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The project will deliver a revised case management model and a range of associated services, including :

• individual case management (planning);
• new roles to support case management;
• stronger relationships with service providers and support networks;
• case manager access to training and qualifications;
• improved client access to health, rehabilitation, disability support and carer support services;
• building on the success of existing initiatives, eg PATHS (Providing Access to Health Solutions);
• targeted approaches for people with mental health issues such as stress and depression, and chronic conditions such as obesity;
• better access to a wider range of employment and training assistance for clients.

Work is also underway with employers and training organisations. The purpose of this work area is to engage with other areas within MSD to collate information on all current training and employment services available for clients to access and develop services that encourage employers to recruit non-traditional job seekers. To achieve this, Work and Income will enhance existing training and support programmes and services to assist clients in the Work Development Support and Community Support streams to secure sustainable employment.

Key to the success of this work area is:

• a joint approach between the Work Development Support and Community Support Project Team, the National Business Sector Unit, Labour Market Development (Enterprising Communities), Regional and National Operations Work and Income, and the Services for Employers (ex Sustainable Employment) Project Team to deliver appropriate services and products to meet employer needs
• developing strong working relationships with external agencies and employer organisations, including the Department of Labour, Business New Zealand and the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.

Service procurement is also occurring. The purpose of this work area is to ensure Work and Income can identify and engage the most appropriate services for clients in the Work Development Support and Community Support streams. The approach taken will include the development of:

• an overall strategy for Work and Income's involvement in the provision of health and disability services for its clients

• specific strategies for the development of assessment and intervention services

• an engagement framework for procuring those services from qualified and appropriate providers, based on the purchasing framework.

The work area will focus on both specialised assessment services for people who need them as well as services that may be required by clients in order for them to successfully return to work and/or engage with the community.

This work will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), District Health Boards (DHB's), Primary Health Organisations (PHO's), disability-related non-government organisations (NGOs), and the Office of Disability Issues (ODI) as part of the Policy Design work area, and will involve Work and Income Contracts group, and Legal. A contracting framework and guidelines will be produced.

Past and existing information collection practices will also be reviewed. This will enable Work and Income to develop business practices that ensure Work Development Support and Community Support clients are accessing the appropriate support and services to meet their individual needs and circumstances.

Key elements of this work area include the following, which can involve both internal and external information gathering requirements:

• where the information is gathered from
• what information is required from the client
• what information is required from health and/or disability providers
• what information is necessary as part of the application process
• what information is necessary as part of Work and Income's decision-making processes at a client's point of entry and review cycles.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

People with ill health and/or disabled people often have employment and service needs that can impact on their ability to participate in the employment market. They are not always aware of the opportunities available or perceive that they are unable to pursue employment. Sometimes this is due to a lack of information, knowledge, assistance and the co-ordination of services and supports.

The changes are specifically tailored to meet the employment needs of clients with ill health and/or disability and includes a service to assist new applicants for benefit to retain their links to employment. It also aims to meet the skills shortages identified by industries with a new pool of potential employees.

The objectives of the new service are:

• enabling people to move into sustainable employment
• supporting people who cannot work now to move towards employment and increase their independence and participation
• making work pay through supporting people to stay in work, and to change jobs without requiring a benefit.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

The Working New Zealand, Work Focused Support: Support and Services for People in Work Development Support and Community Support Service Streams project is monitored via the Working New Zealand Programme office project plan.

All the new areas are due to be delivered through-out the coming months; with all changes implemented by 24 September 2007 .

There is also ongoing monitoring and evaluation in this project deliverables which will review existing evidence, and where appropriate, conduct new qualitative and quantitative research to provide a strong evidence base for service delivery model development and changes in information collection practices.

This work will inform the development of appropriate services and interventions for clients in the Work Development Support and Community Support streams.

Monitoring and evaluation will contribute to service refinements, and to the ongoing development of new services. Evaluation activity will focus on assessing service implementation and operation. Although monitoring will quantify the level of employment related outcomes achieved, it will not be possible to directly attribute outcomes to specific services.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work supports Object 4 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy; “provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people” and “enable disabled people to work in the open labour market (in accordance with human rights principles) and maintain an adequate income.”

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work supports the high level statement in the Ministry of Social Development's Statement of Intent;

‘Disabled people and those with ill-health have the same opportunities, choices, responsibilities and rights as other people living in New Zealand '.

5) Family and Community Services

1) Funding for Outcomes – Integrated Contracts

a) What time period does this cover?

Work started in 2004 and is on-going.

b) Please describe this work

Integrated contracting is a mechanism or tool that supports integrated/holistic service delivery. It enables community-based service providers and their government funders to jointly identify the changes sought from the delivery of services to disabled people. Services delivered may include changing societal perception about living and working with disabled people through to service provision that improves the wellbeing of disabled people. Outcomes-focused integrated contracting recognises that addressing well-being is complex and multiple government agencies have an interest in achieving the outcomes sought.

Integrated contracts enable providers of disability services funded by several government agencies to provide a holistic service under one contract. The approach improves funders' understanding of the provider's entire service (and rationale for providing that service), facilitates close collaboration between the agencies that are party to the contract, builds understanding of the impact of the services delivered, and changes the reporting to better reflect the integrated nature of the service delivery and its impact.

Funding for Outcomes (FfO) is working with the Ministry of Health and ACC on their new integrated, results-based contracts for home based support/rehabilitation services purchased by the Disability Service Directorate (MOH) and ACC. ACC and the Ministry of Health have a number of providers that they have introduced to the FfO outcomes-focused approach.

c) What difference will this work make to disabled people's lives?

The approach aims to improve the access of disabled people to the range of services they and their families need.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

The work is likely to contribute to the wider goal of increasing accessibility of services.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

It is being measured by the number of disability services providers working under an FfO integrated contract.

As a consequence of the Funding for Outcomes project, five disability service providers are working under an integrated contract.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual.

New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006

This section should be used to describe work of your agency in response to the New Zealand Sign Language Act.

In April 2006, the New Zealand Sign Language Act became law. This legislation recognises New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as an official language of New Zealand, gives the right to deaf people to use NZSL in legal proceedings, and provides guidelines to government agencies on the use of NZSL and on consultation with the Deaf community.

Section 9 of the NZSL Act 2006 states:

1. A government department should, when exercising its functions and powers, be guided, so far as reasonably practicable, by the following principles:
   
   1. the Deaf community should be consulted on matters relating to NZSL (including, for example, the promotion of the use of NZSL)
      
   2. NZSL should be used in the promotion to the public of government services and in the provision of information to the public
      
   3. government services and information should be made accessible to the Deaf community through the use of appropriate means (including the use of NZSL).
   
   
2. Consultation carried out by a government department under subsection (1)(a) is to be effected by the chief executive of the government department consulting, to the extent that is reasonably practicable, with the persons or organisations that the chief executive considers to be representative of the interests of the members of the Deaf community relating to NZSL.
   
3. The purpose of the principles in subsection (1) is to promote access to government information and services for the Deaf community, but nothing in subsection (1) is to be read as conferring on the Deaf community advantages not enjoyed by other persons.

1) Office of Disability Issues: A National Approach to interpreting and Translating Services in New Zealand

a) What time period does this work cover?

July 2007 – June 2008

b) Please describe this work

The Office for Disability issues is responsible for administering the New Zealand Sign Language Act. This responsibility includes reviewing funding mechanisms for the provision of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters and for establishing professional competency standards to ensure that competent interpreters are used for interactions where effective communication for deaf citizens is necessary.

The Office is to work with the Office for Ethnic Affairs, consulting with other agencies as required, to develop a proposal for a budget bid in 2008 for a nationally consistent approach in relation to standards, funding and provision of interpreters and translators. This will apply to NZSL needs and to other interpreting and translation needs. A national approach covering all sectors and languages will help avoid duplication and fragmentation, make better use of existing resources, and generally be effective and efficient.

c) What difference will this work make to the lives of people with disabilities?

Barriers to communication can deny people access to many parts of society, including access to government services and information. Nationally consistent interpreter and translator services will help ensure that disabled people throughout the country will have access to the communication that they require, at a good standard. This will help ensure that they are able to participate in the community on an equal basis with other citizens.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to:

• the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy: see section (f) below
• increased accessibility of information and services for all citizens
• national identity: recognising and celebrating the nation's diverse cultures.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

The Office will work with the Office of Ethnic Affairs to prepare a proposal for a bid under the 2008 Budget for a nationally consistent approach, in relation to standards, funding and provision of interpreters. The proposal is to be completed by October 2007.

The Office will draw on resource material that has already been developed. Although it will not implement a formal consultation process for the development of the budget bid, the Office will consult as required with the Ministry of Economic Development and with other relevant government agencies, and with relevant disability sector organisations.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

Objective 3: Provide the best education for disabled people (Action 3.2 - Support the development of effective communication by providing access to education in New Zealand Sign Language, communication technologies and human aids).

Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (Action 6.5 - Make all information and communication methods offered to the general public available in formats appropriate to the different needs of disabled people).

Objective 11: Promote participation of disabled Mäori (Action 11.6 - Support training and development of trilingual interpreters for Deaf people).

Objective 12: Promote the participation of disabled Pacific Peoples (Action 12.4 - Support training and development of trilingual interpreters for Deaf people).

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

The Ministry of Social Development's 2007 Statement of Intent has a goal of “Leading Social Development” and includes a priority of co-ordinating “policy development across the social sector to promote the Government's three priorities of economic transformation, families – young and old, and national identity, for the next decade”. This project will contribute to all three priorities, through breaking down communication barriers that may impede people's involvement in the economy and families' ability to gain the support that they need to look after family members; and through providing recognition of New Zealand 's diverse communities and their needs.

2) Work and Income

a) What time period does this work cover?

2007/2008 and 2008/2009

b) Please describe this work

Recognising that the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) should be used in the promotion and delivery of Ministry services through Work and Income, Work and Income will liaise with representatives of the Deaf community to develop a plan for the appropriate use of NZSL.

c) What difference will this work make to Deaf people's lives?

The use by Work and Income of NZSL will allow services and information to be accessed by members of the Deaf community. It will also assist the public's acceptance and acknowledgement of NZSL as a language of New Zealand .

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal?

This work contributes to the State Services Development Goals – “Accessible State Services “no wrong door” – enhance access, responsiveness and effectiveness, and improve New Zealanders' experience of State Services”.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

It is anticipated that consultations and design of the plan to utilise NZSL will be completed by the end of 2007/2008. The following year will see the plan put into action.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work connects with Object 6.5 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy - make all information and communication methods offered to the general public available in formats appropriate to the different needs of disabled people.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work connects with the high level outcome of the Ministry, as stated in its Statement of Intent;

‘Disabled people and those with ill-health have the same opportunities, choices, responsibilities and rights as other people living in New Zealand'.

National Health Committee’s To Have an ‘Ordinary’ Life report

This section should be used to describe the work of your agency in response to recommendations in the National Health Committee's report To Have an ‘Ordinary' Life: Community membership for adults with an intellectual disability (September 2003).

You can access this report at:

http://www.nhc.govt.nz/publications/PDFs/NHCOrdinaryReport.pdf

Your work will have a specific impact on people with an intellectual disability.

1) Social Services Policy: Disability Allowance for People Living in Community Residential Services

a) What time period does this work cover?

June 2006 to July 2007

b) Please describe this work

In Budget 2006, the Government provided funding so that people receiving assistance with their residential service cost through the Residential Support Subsidy can also access assistance with other costs through the Disability Allowance. Residential Support Subsidy is the name given to payments to service providers for people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities who are receiving residential care services. The Disability Allowance can be used to pay for ongoing additional costs such as medical fees and pharmaceuticals.

MSD worked to provide information on the new policy and assist people in community residential services to apply for Disability Allowance.

c) What difference will this work make to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities?

Many of the people living in community residential services that were affected by this policy change have intellectual disabilities. The change provides extra financial help to meet their disability-related costs.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the Government's goals for Families Young and Old.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Funding was provided from May 2007.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

4, 8

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work contributes to the high level outcome in the Statement of Intent for Working Age People: People achieve economic independence throughout their working lives. They are able to participate in and contribute to society and have a sense of belonging.

2) Child,Youth and Family: Supporting parents with disabilities

a) What time period does this work cover?

2004 and is on-going.

b) Please describe this work

CYF has taken a lead role in developing a pilot service which has the aim of supporting parents with specifically intellectual disabilities to continue to meet the needs of their children and to retain or resume the care of their children, where possible. Where children have come into care, the service is to support parents to have meaningful involvement with their children.

c) What difference will this work make to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities?

This work will facilitate greater interagency collaboration and improved service delivery for children and young people whose parents have intellectual disabilities and who are involved with CYF and the Ministry of Health. Parents with intellectual disabilities will be supported to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

d) What wider goal does this work contribute to? Are there other pieces of work that also contribute to this goal? (for example, a possible wider goal is for 100% of all new public buildings to be accessible, or all public facilities in urban centres to be accessible)

This work contributes to the wider goal of improving disability support services through creating long-term support systems centred on the individual and achieving permanency for children involved with CYF.

e) How is progress in achieving this work being measured or to be measured?

Progress measures are being developed .

Progress targets and milestone dates are being developed.

f) What objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy does this work connect with?

This work programme is mandated by The New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001) as it supports the achievement of a number of the Strategy's Objectives including Objectives 1,2,6,7,10,13 and 15.

g) What part of your Statement of Intent and/or other strategic documents does this work connect with?

This work programme supports the Government's priorities for the next decade through the theme of Families – Young and Old, and the sub themes of:

• Strong families
• Healthy confident kids
• Better health for all

This work programme also supports the achievement of a number of CYF's priorities for the 2006/2007 year as identified in its Statement of Intent. The implementation of the work programme will result in better supports and processes for children and young people with disabilities thereby reducing time in care through:

• Supporting family and whanau to look after their own children and young people
• Working towards achieving more stability and permanency in children and young peoples' lives
• Supporting early intervention and prevention
• Continuing to develop a more integrated approach to children and young people who receive our services

This work programme is in line with the CYF Care and Protection Framework (2006), through being child centred, family-led, culturally responsive, and strength and evidence based.

This work programme is linked into the CYF Service Development Work Plan for 2006/2007 under the Care and Protection team's Work Plan activities of Disability and Responding to emerging issues.