Social Welfare review angers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 385, 7 May 1991, Page 1

Social Welfare review angers

Ruapehu District Mayor Garrick Workman has come out very strongly against the downgrading of the Department of Social Welfare services in the Central Plateau as a result of the proposed downgrading of the Taihape office.

"It is entirely unacceptable that decisions affecting rural towns are made in the cities with no input from the rural people. I want this meeting to express its utter disgust with what is going on without consultation with the people. We want people here on the ground," said Mr Workman at a public meeting in Taihape on Tuesday 30 April. Both Rangatikei mayor John Wilson and Mr Workman said they intended taking the matter back to their respective community boards and on to the council. Alan Johnston director of social services Wanganui said under the restructuring the Taihape office would become an 'applications office' with benefits being processed from Wanganui. Wanganui would be the district office and Hamilton the regional office. At best there would be one basic grade social worker for the area probably attached to the Wanganui office. Kathy Frater social services action group spokesperson said that this was totally unsatisfactory.

"A social worker based in Wanganui could not possibly respond to an emergency when they live one and a half hours away," said Ms Frater. "It is impossible to build a base of knowledge of the area and clients. An isolated worker in an area as big or as rural as this would not work." Turn page 2

Social Welfare review angers

From page 1 "With the recent benfit cuts and no public transport the cost of using a car, if the client has one, is prohibitive on a benefxt. Each phone call is a toll call. A free phone is necessary," said Ms Frater. "I would like the DSW to take on board that rural people are sick of having their facilities and resources depleted," said Ruth Jensen manager of the Taihape Rural Health Centre. The 70 people representing most community groups decided to channel their actions and recommendations through SAG who are taking them on through the community boards to the district council on their behalf. Community board supports action At the Waimarino community board meeting on Thursday 2 May Ruapehu District mayor Garrick Workman told the board of his concerns about the downgrading of the social welfare services in Taihape and how they would affect the Waimarino. "We want to send a deputation to meet Susan Kerfoot Wanganui director and Barry Shea Regional director in Hamilton," said Mr Workman. "We need people here in the Waimarino and Taihape, we should fight damn hard to keep the services we have here." A public meeting has been called for Thursday for any interested people to come to help identify the areas of concern. This information will then be used to lobby DSW and MP's. The

meeting is to be held at the Ohakune Service Centre, 7.30pm Thursday 9 May. People wishing to lend their support are also asked to return the coupon on page two of the Bulletin. Ohakune Police Sergeant Bob Evans told the board "the people who need social welfare are generally the most disadvantaged, they don't have the resources to travel to Taihape or to phone Wanganui." "The introduction of the Children Young Person's and their Families Act in 1989 requires a strong social network," said sergeant Evans. "It needs someone local and available all the time - not someone in Wanganui who looks in their diary and thinks today I am going to Ohakune." Mr Evans spoke about his experience of having worked previously where social workers had to come from a bigger centre and said it 'just didn't work'. "The police will support the action taken by the council," he said. Board member Ellen Gould said "The schools are also very concerned. In the past we have had people come from Wanganui and it was a hopeless situation. When occasions arise then you need someone immediately not on a certain day of the week." The board decided to express its concern at moves to downgrade the social services in the area and to make strong representation for their retention. The board also agreed to support the Rangatikei and Ruapehu mayor's call for a meeting with the district and regional directors of DSW-