Story: Family welfare

Single mothers and paid work

Single mothers and paid work

Since the introduction of the domestic purposes benefit (DPB) in 1973, successive governments have attempted to move sole parents off this benefit and into paid work. In the early 1990s a pilot programme called Compass was set up to help people on the DPB enter employment. It tried to provide individualised programmes directed at getting sole parents, like this Porirua mother, into jobs. There was a strong focus on access to childcare, budgeting, training, education and self-esteem.

Courtesy of Ministry of Social Development – Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference: Margaret McClure, A civilised community: a history of social security in New Zealand 1898-1998, Auckland: Auckland University Press and Historical Branch, 1998, p. 253.

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How to cite this page:

Maureen Baker and Rosemary Du Plessis, 'Family welfare - Family autonomy and state policy', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26071/single-mothers-and-paid-work (accessed 20 March 2024)

Story by Maureen Baker and Rosemary Du Plessis, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 29 Jun 2018