The Salvation Army supports the intention of this Bill and the aim of the wider reform being carried out by the Ministry of Social Development which asks the question “How can we transform the lives of our vulnerable children once and for all?” The Salvation Army believes that this is an essential challenge, as it acknowledges that there can be (and have been) multiple reviews and yet very little tangible change for the children that the system seeks to protect and support.
The Salvation Army is heartened that there is now cross-party consensus that the current system is not working, given that the reality of life for some children in care is that they are harmed the longer they are in it. Children in care tend to be some of the most vulnerable in our society and this vulnerability can continue into adulthood with higher rates of poverty, youth offending, imprisonment, mental health challenges, addiction and abuse.