DSS receives pre Budget investments in response to Royal Commission Inquiry
On 9 May 2025, the Government announced a range of initiatives that will strengthen the care system and improve redress for survivors in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care.
This announcement included funding for Disability Support Services (DSS) for initiatives that will support work to make the current care system safe.
“Disabled people have been a significant focus of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. DSS is acutely aware that more needs to be done to strengthen the current systems which are in place to keep disabled people safe,” says Anne Shaw, Associate Deputy Chief Executive Disability Support Services.
“DSS is committed to progressing ongoing improvements and to working with providers to improve how we prevent, identify, and respond to any concerns or reports of violence, abuse or neglect,” says Anne Shaw.
The announcement includes $8.8 million of funding for DSS for the “Making the Care System Safe – Recognising and Responding to Abuse of Disabled People in Care” initiative.
Initiative: Making the Care System Safe – Recognising and Responding to Abuse of Disabled People in Care
This initiative provides funding for DSS to respond to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care recommendations on strengthening and improving the quality and safety of care delivered by its funded disability support service providers.
Funding of $8.8 million will support DSS to recognise and respond to instances of abuse in care and support ongoing improvements in quality and safeguarding initiatives.
- $6 million will go towards strengthening the system by introducing additional audits on the quality of disability support services.
- $2.8 million will support system improvements to DSS complaint and incident management systems.
Audits on the quality of care across DSS contracted care providers
The $6 million investment will go towards strengthening the system by introducing additional audits on the quality of disability support services and will complement our current audit programme.
These audits will not replace providers’ obligations under the HealthCERT audit regime, nor the audit requirements outlined in the contracts with disability support providers.
As we design the enhanced audit programme, we will be mindful of ensuring we minimise any associated costs or administrative commitments on providers.
System improvements for critical incident, complaints management
The $2.8 million investment in improving critical incident and complaints management will improve the efficiency, productivity, and overall effectiveness of our critical incident management processes.
Strengthening our critical incident and complaints management systems will provide us with better tools to analyse trends and themes, improve response times, and report information back to providers to inform continuous system improvements.
More information
- The Royal Commission’s final report: Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light external
- The Government's response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry external
- The DSS Quality and safeguarding programme
- Survivor Experience Service for people who have experienced abuse in care external
- How to access your care records external
Disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are much more likely to experience violence and abuse or neglect than other New Zealanders. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, abuse or neglect there is help available.