Independent Children’s Monitor Experiences of Care in Aotearoa report findings to be addressed

Oranga Tamariki Acting Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman says he is deeply concerned that insufficient progress has been made in meeting the National Care Standards. “I acknowledge there is work to be done within Oranga Tamariki, and the wider children’s system, to improve outcomes for the children and young people who most need it.”

“The findings from the Aroturuki Tamariki–Independent Children’s Monitor Experiences of Care in Aotearoa report will be addressed, with a comprehensive and targeted focus on improving the safety and wellbeing of tamariki in care,” says Mr Bridgman. “I have given the Independent Children’s Monitor my personal undertaking that we will focus our efforts on addressing the areas of concern he has raised. We will meet with him regularly to discuss progress.”

The report notes Oranga Tamariki cannot alone address the serious and highly complex issues around child abuse, and the protection and wellbeing of our most vulnerable children.

“These are challenges that extend beyond any one agency and require support from the whole children’s system, and a collective, shared, responsibility from all parts of our society.”

“There is a clear challenge to all children’s agencies to do everything possible to better meet the needs of tamariki in care. This includes closer collaboration, prioritising services, and ensuring funding and support follows the child.”

Mr Bridgman says all children and young people in care deserve to be safe. “Any harm to a child or young person in care is unacceptable. Our staff at Oranga Tamariki are absolutely committed to working on targeted actions to reduce harm and improve practice across the frontline.”

“We are very concerned at the increase in the number of tamariki with a finding of harm, and we know that preventing harm starts with calling it out and acting on it when we see it. We will continue to encourage and improve the way young people can speak up and raise concerns about any instance of harm. We have established the Child Protection Investigation Unit – to investigate harm to tamariki, identify systemic failures, provide a voice for survivors, and promote accountability.”

The data shows the majority of reported harm findings are alleged to have been caused by other young people, with the highest occurrence in residences and group homes. “We are strengthening our plan to improve safety and quality residential practice in secure facilities. This includes training to ensure our kaimahi can respond to situations that could result in harm or conflict.”

Oranga Tamariki is also strongly focused on enabling social workers, while we acknowledge the report findings that more needs to be done to remove barriers so social workers can focus on their critical role of supporting tamariki, whānau and caregivers. “Our social workers and frontline staff do an incredible job and help change lives every day. We have already seen positive shifts in our practice approach, and we are focused on specific priorities including timely case allocation and safety assessments for reports of concern, boosting visits to tamariki, and improving support for caregivers.”

Government is investing $68.5 million in updating our frontline technology systems, including case management systems, and we will keep working to ensure social workers have the tools, training, and time to focus on supporting the tamariki and whānau we serve.”

“We appreciate the whānau, iwi, communities and agencies that enable children in care to be safe and supported.  I am confident we have the right course of action, and I know we must do more, together, to prevent harm and ensure that the safety of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do.”

View the ICM report and the Oranga Tamariki response on the ICM website