50 Key Thinkers - Information For Attendees

Information For Attendees

Why this forum now?

This forum is being run because of the opportunities for, and threats to, the wellbeing of families and whānau that exist today. The Government is facing an unprecedented challenge, now, to continue to meet the needs of New Zealand families and whānau, when the resources to do so are shrinking. But great solutions and innovative thinking about how we, as a nation, can do this, already exist or can be brought to the surface, which is why the experiences of, and ideas from, people who are at the front line of this issue need to be heard.

Why is it run by the Families Commission?

The Families Commission is an independent voice for families and whānau. The Commission has connections with families and whānau and people, like you, who know what service models work for families and whānau. The Commission is intent on being a catalyst for the development of ideas for effective social services delivery, and a broker that thinking with Government, so that the needs of families and whānau are kept central to emerging models of social service delivery.

What issues are likely to be discussed?

The floor is yours – your ideas will shape the day, the Commission is not prescribing the content. We imagine, however, that challenges in social services provision will be on your minds: how to reach our most vulnerable families and whānau, ways of promoting resilience, achieving transformational change, harnessing whānau leadership and ownership, understanding and demonstrating service effectiveness, the impact changes in New Zealand society will have on what services are needed, how they are provided and who provides services to New Zealand families and whānau in future.

How will the outcome of the forum be used?

The Families Commission’s aim is that the outcome of the forum, and subsequent conversations with other stakeholders, leads to the development of better models for social services delivery (and subsequently, to bring about change in the nature of social service provision to obtain better outcomes for families and whānau). These models will be communicated to the Government and to government agencies.

Why have you been invited?

You have been invited because we know that you have creative insights and a vision for how to improve services for families. We have chosen 50 people for this first conversation; we will talk to many more over time. You will have diverse views from many different communities, families and whānau. We know that you will respect and build on the views of others to create suggestions, ideas and options that draw on the best that is happening.

How can you prepare?

You will be listening to Ministers, and to the other people present and we will be listening closely to you. You can best prepare by looking five or 10 years out, imagining that social services are working ever better for families and whānau and be able to talk about what is driving that success.

We have also prepared a backgrounder for participants which you may find useful.

In advance, think about some of these questions

• What factors are going to shape the future support needs of family and whānau?
• What new services will be needed, what current services may not be needed?
• How can those services best be provided?
• What are the implications of the Treaty partnership on the design and delivery of social services?
• How are services going to reach to the most vulnerable families and whānau?
• Where are the examples of current organisations already adapting their services to meet future needs?

If you can suggest any useful resources, or you have any questions about the forum, then please feel free to contact us.

Media

The Commission will be publicising the forum from next week with updates placed on our website. We are also inviting media to participate in the forum and report on the process, with the proviso that they do not attribute ideas or comments to individuals unless they directly obtain permission from those individuals subsequent to the forum. It is vital that the forum process is as open as possible to ensure the free flow of information.

With this in mind we intend to publish the list of invitees on our website and we are keen to interview participants on the day.

There will be lots of opportunities for discussions. The Commission looks forward very much to hearing your views as you work with others to develop solutions.

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