Media Statement

29 May 2012

Future Focus for the Families Commission

Confirmed

The new direction for the Families Commission will build on its recognised strengths in evaluation and research and will help to support the better social services for New Zealanders.

In welcoming the announcement Families Commissioner Carl Davidson said the changes gave the Commission the mandate to provide independent monitoring, evaluation and contracting of research on key issues and social sector programmes and interventions.

“This is a logical development of the Commission and helps us make sure we are delivering even greater value to New Zealand Families through our advice,” he said.

Under the changes, the Commission will remain an autonomous crown entity but there will be changes to the way it is structured and its prioritisation of work:

Of the $32.48 million in funding the Families Commission receives over four years, the Government will reprioritise a minimum of $14.2 million over four years to set up a new Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (SuPERU) within the Commission.

Funding annually: $3.55 million to be reprioritised to the Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit within the Families Commission and $38 million will fund the Centre for Family and Whānau Knowledge.

· The Families Commission will have a board made up of the Families Commissioner (Chair), the Government’s Chief Science Adviser, a Social Science Panel Advisor, and four other appointees.

· The Chair will be the sole Commissioner position.

· A Social Science Experts Panel will be appointed to provide academic peer review and guidance to the Families Commission

Mr Davidson said the changes were a chance for the Commission to help make sure Government resources are being directed to where they will get the best results.

“The SuPERU will provide high quality independent, monitoring and evaluation of how effective initiatives are in addressing key issues across the social sector impacting upon families and society.

“The Commission will continue to carry out advocacy for families, primarily through the provision of information functions through the Centre for Family and Whanau Knowledge,” Mr Davidson said.

The new Commission structure is expected to be fully operational by 1 January 2013.
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