Media Release
24 OCTOBER 2003

Child, Youth And Family Agrees Terms Of Reference

Child, Youth and Family has agreed the terms of reference for an independent investigation to be conducted by Ailsa Duffy QC, into the handling of a phone call from Ron Burrows.

The investigation follows checks by CYF of its telephone records, which identified a call from Mr Burrows to the Department’s national call centre in Auckland on January 21, 2003.

The call was not recorded on CYF’s case management computer system, which is used to record phone calls that social workers have decided need to be followed up by the Department.

Chief Executive Jackie Pivac said the object of the review is to establish the facts relating to the Department’s management of the telephone call received from Mr Burrows’ home and to consider the systems used by Child, Youth and Family to manage reports of child abuse.

The review will concentrate on the following areas:

1. Child, Youth and Family’s standards and processes for:
- Receiving calls (and other communications) which intend to report concerns about children and young people
- Determining whether an investigation of a call is necessary
- Logging telephone calls and other communications

2. What happened in relation to Mr Burrows call including:
- Content
- What record Child, Youth and Family has of the call
- Whether the call was handled in accordance with the Department’s standards and processes, and if not why not.

3. The appropriateness of Child, Youth and Family’s standards and processes for receiving information about children and young people, particularly in relation to determining whether a report requires investigation and systems for record-keeping.

4. Any other matters considered relevant.

It is expected that Ailsa Duffy QC will report to the Chief Executive by November 28.

The findings will be made public and Ms Pivac said no further comment would be made by the Department in relation to the inquiry until that time.

ENDS

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