Research backs whanau ora

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Even non-Maori families prefer to use social services provided by Maori organisations as they provide a whole-of-family approach, a report released today shows.

The report, Social Services in Masterton, was conducted by the Families Commission on request from Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Intended to be a snapshot of Masterton social services providers, it also provided a guide for the national situation.

The report found Masterton service were generally adequate with few overlaps, but some gaps.

Most providers indicated there was unmet demand and they could expand their services with more funding and staff.

Among the gaps were mental health services for those with moderate needs, help for sexual offenders, parenting older children programmes, affordable housing, programmes for young fathers and for teenagers who had left school but still lived at home.

Most families interviewed tried first to deal with problems themselves or through their extended family before looking for outside help.

Many non-Maori families indicated they preferred dealing with kaupapa Maori agencies because they catered to a wide range of family needs.

Families also did not like working with agencies that were imposed on them, where they had to repeat their story, where there was a lack of flexibility and professionalism or where they suspected they would be reported to Child Youth and Family, the report said.

Maori families also preferred services with Maori staff who were fluent in te reo.

Chief Families Commissioner Carl Davidson said the report showed most people did not approach social services from a point of dysfunction, but rather use them as a tool to maintain strength and wellbeing.

"This was especially noticeable with kaupapa Maori services, which were actively sought after by Maori and non-Maori families alike because of their whole-family approach."

The report showed local service providers often knew exactly what was needed and how to deliver it, but bureaucracy sometimes got in the way, Mr Davidson said.

Funding social services through high trust contracts would facilitate inter-agency cooperation and deliver better results for families, he said.

"The evidence from Masterton tells us that families there want social services that are culturally appropriate, family focused, community led, and where they can get to know and trust a small number of staff with their story."

Ms Bennett said the report would inform policy development including whanau ora and the community response model.

"When I took office I was astounded to find that no one could tell me what services existed in each area and who used them," she said.

The report gave insight into a typical New Zealand town and reflected views of 400 families and 33 providers.

"While we often have anecdotal knowledge nothing beats real research evidence. This research can help us in our quest to respond to real community needs better."

- NZPA