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Hundreds of charities and NGOs providing care for vulnerable children and families say they're in limbo waiting for Oranga Tamariki to tell them whether funding will be continued, and they fear young people will be put at more risk.
Oranga Tamariki funds a range of programmes delivered by external care providers - including counselling for children; social workers in schools; teen parent units; wrap around support for neurodivergent children, support for foster parents and family and sexual violence programmes.
Contracts ended at the end of June - some providers received emails saying they would not be renewed.
Others were told they would, but they have not yet received any confirmation. Nikki Hurst is the Executive Officer of the Council of Christian Social Services - she says it's causing stress for providers, but more importantly, putting vulnerable young people at risk.
Kathryn also speaks with Chief Executive of Social Service Providers Aoteaora Belinda Himiona.