Frontline staff at the Government's child protection agency are struggling to do their jobs with limited resources, while juggling up to double the recommended number of cases.
In the past eight years, notifications to Child, Youth and Family have quadrupled, with some social workers taking on between 20 and 40 cases. The recommended number per worker is between 12 and 18.
The Association of Social Workers in Aotearoa says that's too many and although a review being undertaken by CYFs – due to be completed before Christmas – will aim to fix the problem, there's doubt the recommendations will be taken up.
Radio New Zealand reporter Mani Dunlop gained access inside the agency in this 4-part series inside CYF.