A pilot scheme assessing the health and educational needs of children as they enter the care of Child, Youth and Family (CYF) has found 88% have some sort of health condition.
The agency has issued its findings from a pilot scheme which began in Auckland, Counties Manukau, Lakes and Mid-Central two years ago.
Assessments were given to every child in care in the hope of catching any undiagnosed issues and improving their health and well-being.
The pilot scheme found that 88% of children tested had a health condition, while 37% had hearing issues and 41% a mental health disorder.
In May, the Government announced a $43.7 million funding package to improve services for children in care and expanding the pilot scheme to include the rest of the country is part of that package.
CYF general manager of service support Marion Heeney says the scheme will improve the health of children in its care and will be fully in place by December next year.
