A children's support charity says a mix of heightened awareness and more abuse could be the reason for more reports to Oranga Tamariki. 

The Ministry for Children estimates its seen a 45 percent increase in reports of concern in the year to April.

It comes as Newstalk ZB reveals more than a-thousand children are overdue to be assigned a social worker. 

Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge it's aware of a large volume of under-reporting - especially in serious cases. 

She says increased reporting is certainly not indicative of just more awareness. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A children's support charity says a mix of heightened awareness and more abuse could be the reason for more reports to Oranga Tamariki.&nbsp;
The Ministry for Children estimates its seen a 45 percent increase in reports of concern in the year to April.
It comes as Newstalk ZB reveals more than a-thousand children are overdue to be assigned a social worker.&nbsp;
Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge it's aware of a large volume of under-reporting - especially in serious cases.&nbsp;
She says increased reporting is certainly not indicative of just more awareness.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Jane Searle: Child Matters CEO talks growing number of reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ef97fdad-41a6-458d-b643-b2ce012e87c0/transcript