3 Jul 2012

More social workers announced for low decile schools

3:33 pm on 3 July 2012

The Government has confirmed it will start increasing the number of social workers in low decile primary schools this month.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced an extra 149 social workers for decile one to three schools during last year's election campaign.

Ms Bennett said on Tuesday that the first 50 additional social workers will be put in schools in Northland, South Auckland and Hawke's Bay from 16 July.

Extra social workers will be placed in schools in the South Island, followed by other parts of Auckland, Kaipara and the North Island by the middle of next year.

Ms Bennett says the boost will increase the number of decile one to three schools with social workers from 285 to 673 and will cost just over $11 million per year.