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In this section we provide answers to questions we have been asked on a number of occasions. If you have a question about Every Child Counts don't hesitate to email: everychildcounts@barnardos.org.nz
Questions
What is Every Child Counts?
Every Child Counts is a coalition formed by Barnardos, Plunket, Unicef, Save the Children and the Institute of Public Policy at AUT. We work in a variety of ways to educate people-from corporate citizens to politicians and the general public- about the political and community actions that will better support children and their families. We believe it's time to address the priority issues that affect children, so that all New Zealanders can thrive.
What are the key objectives of this campaign?
Every Child Counts is focused on achieving change in four vital areas related to child well-being:
* Putting children and family at the centre of policy and planning
* Ensuring all children get a good start in the early years
*Reducing child abuse and neglect, and
*Ending child poverty
Why is this campaign necessary?
A focus on the needs of children and their families is a key to improving the quality and prosperity of New Zealand society now and in the future. Children must be central to government policy, and their health and wellbeing improved, if we are to achieve sustainable social and economic development.
Sadly, political parties and the wider New Zealand community have not recognised the vital role of children in creating a safer, more prosperous New Zealand.
Currently:
Child abuse and neglect reports continue to rise. We regularly read about violence to children, child homicides and child abuse notifications.
Many of our child health statistics are poor. For example, immunisation rates are leading to preventable disease outbreaks.
One in three children lives in poverty. Some parents and caregivers are not equipped to give their children the best possible start in life.
Children who suffer abuse and neglect, who live in poverty, or who are not nurtured appropriately in their early years will not reach their full potential. They are more likely to fail at school, have poor health, and to engage in anti-social behaviours such as violent crime.
These circumstances are preventable.
Every Child Counts is encouraging all political parties and all New Zealanders to ensure children are at the centre and ensure appropriate investment in their wellbeing.
Our willingness to provide the best we can for all children is an expression of the health of our economy and our society, now and in the future.
How is child poverty measured?
Measuring child poverty is complex ?but using income data is a useful guide to the material resources available to a child. A recent UNICEF Report says “In developed market economies, where basic health care and education have largely been achieved, income is the most useful single guide to poverty levels and to changes in those levels over time?
The most commonly used measure in New Zealand and overseas is either -
Household income: 60 % or 50 % of the median equivalent disposable household income after housing costs; or
Living standards: The Ministry of Social Development has researched and developed a tool called ELSI which is used to survey and measure the living standards of families and children irrespective of family income. For example, a family may have a middle income but most of it goes on home mortgage and as a result the children are denied many of the basics of life.
What does child-centred mean?
Child centred means that not only is the well-being of children and families a priority when it comes to planning government policy and funding activities but also that all policy development, across all sectors, takes into account, and is responsive to how well children and families will fare under that policy.
For example, little thought may be given to the impact specifically on children when developing urban policy or public transport policy. When a child-centred framework is used for developing such policies then in can have a major impact upon the quality of life of children and thence of all of us.
Arent families important too? Where do they fit in this campaign?
Families are critical to childrens well being. Families come in many forms and it is not so much the form they take that matters as it is the nature of the care the families are able to provide for the child. The most important and basic of childrens needs are universal but may be met in a variety of different ways. Every Child Counts believes that by starting with the child, rather than the family, at the centre the right questions will be asked about childrens needs and flexible policies developed to meet these. These must be supportive of families in their many forms. There is always a risk that when adults?needs are placed before those of children, a variety of adult agendas will get in the way of what is best for children.
Who is involved with Every Child Counts?
The organisations leading the campaign are:
Barnardos NZ
UNICEF New Zealand
Save the Children
Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, and
The Institute of Public Policy at Auckland University of Technology
A wide range of other organisations and individuals have already signed up as supporters.
The campaign is overseen by a Steering Group and is being implemented by a Project Team.
How is the Every Child Counts campaign funded?
Every Child Counts is an independent collaborative. It has sought, and will continue to seek funding from various sources, including philanthropic foundations and donations from individuals and organisations. Although agencies involved in running the campaign may make contributions in money or staff time such contributions are funded from sources other than Government contracts.
We have received grants from the J.R.McKenzie Foundation, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Barnardos NZ, Save the Children NZ, Unicef NZ, and Plunket.
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