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Language support for access to services Julia Wootton, National Manager Contact Centres 11 July 2014. Housing New Zealand. Housing New Zealand Corporation is a Crown agent that provides housing services for people in need
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Language support for access to services Julia Wootton, National Manager Contact Centres 11 July 2014
Housing New Zealand • Housing New Zealand Corporation is a Crown agent that provides housing services for people in need • We provide high quality, subsidised rental homes to people in the greatest need for the duration of their need. • Increase in number of quota refugees housed over the past 2 years
Service Channels • Local offices • Customer Services Centre • Email • Fax • Correspondence by mail
Accessibility and arrangements • Local offices • Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm • Tenancy Managers, Senior Tenancy Managers, Area and Regional Managers • Links with MSD to support customers accessing relevant housing services
Accessibility and arrangements • Customer Services Centre • Toll free 0800 number • 24/7, 365 for urgent enquiries, Monday to Friday 8am- 6pm for general enquiries • Multi-skilled Housing Advisors • Telephony solution between MSD and Housing
Language line • Language Line key tool for support • Training resources for both staff and customers • Active promotion of services on web site and with staff, supported by “no interpreting” policy in contact centre • Support available from Ethnic Affairs, good reporting and feedback • Good uptake of interpretation services
Language line – uptake • 687 calls to Language Line (May 14) • Success rate very high • 7 calls where language not available • 12 where interpreter not available • Average interpreting session - 11 minutes • Most popular languages • Samoan, Mandarin Tongan
Challenges • Mismatch of service hours of Language Line and contact centre channels