Social workers doubt whether the Government can realistically have 20 new Whanau Ora agencies operational by July.
Under the new policy, social workers at various agencies will co-ordinate a multitude of social services that struggling families are involved with.
The Government's $1 billion Whanau Ora plan will have the ultimate aim of weaning the families off social services.
The Association of Social Workers says non-government organisations will compete for contracts to deliver the service.
But, it says negotiations between health and social services competing for the contracts could take up to 18 months.
More can be heard about this issue on Insight on Sunday.
