Ombudsman finding on children’s safety checks should spur action across children’s system

An Ombudsman finding about children’s safety checks for hospital workers is significant and should have impact across the wider system, says Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad.

The final opinion of Chief Ombudsman John Allen, published today, reveals safety checks on hospital workers in contact with children had not been happening until a whistle blower made a protected disclosure. As the independent advocate for all children, and given her role in the Oversight of oranga tamariki System, the Children’s Commissioner is amplifying the finding and drawing attention to its wider significance.

“Regular safety checks for all people working with children are essential, that’s why the law requires them across public sector agencies. These checks help to keep children safe and prevent harm. I’m appalled that mandatory safety checks had not been undertaken in some hospitals for nine years.

“This is a clear example of the system failing to prioritise children, despite the law being very clear,” says Dr Achmad.

All agencies across the children’s system should pay close attention to the Chief Ombudsman’s finding, and ensure their safety check systems and processes are operating effectively in compliance with the Children’s Act 2014, she says.

“Today’s finding from the Ombudsman is a strong reminder to all agencies in the children’s system that preventing harm to children is a vital and ongoing process that needs to be a priority. I agree with Mr Allen that further improvement is needed system-wide, so that safety checks of people working with children always happen effectively. I suggest that all agencies should internally ask some hard questions and make sure that their children’s safety check systems and processes are robust and effective.

“The Chief Ombudsman’s finding strengthens my message following on from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, that more widely, we need to build a children’s rights and safeguarding culture to prevent harm. In my view this must work on a foundation of background checks as a minimum, and provide ongoing education and training in child protection.

“I am pleased to see Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora’s immediate response to the Ombudsman’s finding, that it is strengthening nationwide safety checks for all adults working with children in hospitals. It’s important that New Zealand’s children and their families have assurance that everyone who should be safety checked is safety checked. It’s about knowing that all adults working in this system are safe people to work with children.

“This finding is another example of why our systems that serve children must prioritise them in practice, taking all steps to prevent harm. Strengthening the children’s system is essential so that children are always safe within all parts of it, that is their right,” says Dr Achmad.

ends

Editor’s notes

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is the independent advocate for all children under the age of 18 in Aotearoa New Zealand and children and young people under 25 who have been in or who are in care and/or custody. As Children’s Commissioner, Dr Achmad leads the team at Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, an independent Crown entity.

Our role in the Oversight of oranga tamariki System is to advocate for the interests, rights and wellbeing of all children, and, where needed, help mokopuna and their whānau navigate the system to resolve problems. As an Oversight of oranga tamariki System entity, Mana Mokopuna works closely with the two other oversight organisations, Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor, and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Media contact:

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is available for interviews. Please contact:
Melissa Wastney
029 909 2715