Green Paper puts priority on children.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is developing a Green Paper to kick off a national conversation on how we value, nurture and protect children. The Green Paper will focus on the needs of children and young people aged 0 to 18 years, with a special focus on under five-year olds.It will contain a range of issues for New Zealanders to consider, for example:• Information sharing to protect children • Tracking at-risk children • Greater use of schools after hours, for a range of activities • Mandatory reporting of child abuse • Whanau-first placements for children in state care The Green Paper will be written by a multi-disciplinary team with input from key stakeholders and advised by a scientific and academic reference group.For the full media release, please visit http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/green-paper-puts-priority-children