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MEDIA RELEASE
22 May 2009

New research brings hope to New Zealand’s most vulnerable infants

Research published today demonstrates that effective early intervention in the homes of the most socially deprived families can potentially save the lives of vulnerable infants, as well as slashing the $2 billion New Zealand loses each year from child abuse.

Chair of the Christchurch-based Family Help Trust Dr Annabel Taylor said ‘Monitoring Vulnerable Families,’ a study of the Trust’s work with families over the first two years of contact, showed carefully targeted investment in socially deprived families would generate a substantial payback.

“This research provides strong evidence that effective early intervention to improve parenting skills where these are most seriously lacking does work. There are around 64,000 babies born in New Zealand each year, of which two per cent, or approximately 1,200, are in families with the greatest levels of dysfunction and therefore the most extreme risk of child abuse.

“It costs around $6,000 per annum to effectively ensure these families make it safely through the critical first five years of a child’s life. To fully meet that need for all 1,200 children born in New Zealand each year, an investment of $36 million per annum into effective early intervention programmes would be necessary.

“Recent estimates suggest that the long term costs of mitigating the effects of child abuse and neglect in New Zealand equate to $2 billion per annum. That is the cost of policing, imprisonment, mental health, healthcare, drug addiction and the other negative consequences and lost opportunities that eventuate from young people and adults who have spent the early years of their lives subject to violence, neglect, maltreatment and abuse, and lead blighted adult lives as a consequence.

“Spending $36 million would save a sizeable portion of that $2 billion while markedly improving the lives, prospects and potential of many families previously thought to be in the ‘too hard basket,’” she said.

Dr Taylor said the new research contradicted earlier analysis of home visitation services.

“Previous research suggests early intervention services that target those at greatest risk of child abuse and neglect are ineffective and do not reduce child abuse. However, for the first time, this detailed and objective study shows it is possible to effectively work with these families, and make a positive difference to the lives of those infants and children at the most severe risk of maltreatment,” she said.

According to Dr Taylor, today’s research shows effective early intervention helps mothers of vulnerable infants to end abusive relationships; come off drugs; stop hitting their children and begin to turn their own and their children’s lives around.

“A series of key issues associated with poor outcomes for children were examined in ‘Monitoring Vulnerable Families,’ evaluating changes reported over the first two years the families in the study were visited by the Family Help Trust.

“The results are extremely encouraging, suggesting significant improvement in the care provided to the children in a number of key areas associated with maltreatment. These include positive parental behaviours associated with child rearing, and measures to improve the health and safety of children in the household,” she said.

Dr Taylor, who is a senior lecturer teaching social policy and social work practice at the University of Canterbury School of Social Work and Human Services, said the research provides valuable information to improve the outlook for many more vulnerable infants and families.

“Established research indicates that, aside from the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life that victims of child maltreatment experience, children brought up in these families suffer long-term consequences.

“Within the first three years of life, they are at particularly high risk of becoming traumatised to such an extent that their brain development is impaired. When this occurs, it creates life-long difficulties for the individual and profound impact on society. Estimates relating to New Zealand suggest that child abuse and neglect generates a long term cost that is equivalent to around $2 billion, or over one per cent of GDP, per annum.

“‘Monitoring Vulnerable Families’ indicates that if sufficient investment is made in effective early intervention services, much of this cost will be saved. More importantly, so will lives like those of Nia Glassie, Chris and Cru Kahui and Lilybing,” she said.

Social researcher Dr Mark Turner from Clarity Research Limited undertook the research, which was based on detailed interviews with the Family Help Trust families.

Approximately 100 children born in Christchurch every year are assessed as most at risk. These infants are the primary focus of the activities of the Family Help Trust, although it is only resourced to provide a service for around one third of them.

‘Monitoring Vulnerable Families’ provides an account of the outcomes of 59 of the families of these children two years after they came within the Family Help Trust’s service.

Established in 1990 by a group of health and welfare professionals, the Trust employs skilled, experienced social workers to confront and address the causes of family dysfunction. Its work provides families at the highest risk with the techniques they need to improve their parenting ability and therefore the lives of their children.

Research findings:
An electronic copy of the research findings is available on request by return email

Further information:

Dr Annabel Taylor
Senior Lecturer
School of Social Work and Human Services
University of Canterbury
Tel wk: 0064 3 3642444
Home: 0064 3 3299 526
Mobile: 027 4477183