Oversight agencies call for urgent and continued focus on safety of children in State care following increase in number of children harmed

The reduction in recorded instances of harm in secure residences announced today has been welcomed by Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor Chief Executive Arran Jones and Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad. However, it must be acknowledged that the number of children and young people in residences who were harmed (115) is largely the same as the previous year (118).

Overall, the number of children in State care being abused or neglected has increased and this is unacceptable say Mr Jones and Dr Achmad.

The Safety of Children in Care data released in the Oranga Tamariki annual report today, shows an increase in abuse and neglect of children in State care. In the 12 months to 31 March 2025, 530 children in care experienced harm – an increase of 23 children on 2023/24. At the same time, the number of children in care – across care and protection and youth justice – decreased from 4,314 to 4,189.

“It’s unacceptable to see that in the past year, there’s been an overall increase in the number of children harmed in the care of the State. This requires urgent, ongoing attention from Oranga Tamariki,” says Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad.

“We want to see the numbers of children in State care keep continuing to reduce, but when mokopuna are in the care of the State, they must be safe. Children and young people in care themselves tell me how important this is, and how it impacts on their lives in all sorts of ways when they’re not safe in care. It’s almost a year since the Government’s National Apology to survivors of historic abuse in care. The Prime Minister said the abuse that was experienced was heartbreaking, wrong and that it should never have happened. He also said that we must do all we can to prevent abuse happening in the future. I want to see continued urgent focus to prevent all children from experiencing harm.

“All children and young people, including those in the care of the State, have the right to live free from all forms of harm and violence. We must pay attention to the fact that 10 percent of all children in State care were abused or neglected over the last 12 months. While the reduction in physical harm, and in some types of care, is encouraging and shows that making progress is possible, there continues to be a disproportionate level of abuse occurring in return home care and in secure residences,” says Dr Achmad.

The highest levels of harm occurred in return home care and secure residences. Return home care is when children and young people are returned to the care of their parent while in Oranga Tamariki custody. In the last 12 months, 13 percent of children and young people in return home care were harmed – the highest rate of harm in this care type since this reporting began in 2019. In secure residences, 23 percent of children and young people in residences were harmed.

“Successive Oranga Tamariki reports have found that children and young people in return home care are at higher risk of harm than those in other types of care. Returning children and young people home to their parents should be the result of a change in circumstances and that it is now safe. We know this is not always the case and this data shows things are getting worse, not better,” says Mr Jones.

“Our 2023 Returning Home from Care report identified shortfalls in planning for a return home and in the frequency of visits by social workers. It is good to see that from March 2025 Oranga Tamariki is focusing on visiting children and young people who have returned home more frequently. This is a matter of safety. If children and young people are to return home, it is critical that they and their families have support wrapped around them and the issues that gave rise to children going into care in the first place are addressed,” Mr Jones said

Despite the reported level of repeated harm for children and young people in residences decreasing, much more work is needed to make care and protection and youth justice residences safe spaces. Children and young people in residences continue to suffer harm at high rates – and this is consistent with what Aroturuki Tamariki and the Children’s Commissioner frequently hear through their work.

“Many of the residences we visit are not safe therapeutic places for children and young people. Young people tell us they ask to go into secure units to keep themselves safe from harm by other young people. We hear from staff who tell us they don’t have the training, time or spaces to take a more therapeutic approach to managing behaviour,” Mr Jones said.

Both Dr Achmad and Mr Jones say that the evidence is clear as to what works to prevent harm and keep children and young people safe in care. They say that having an effectively trained and supported child and youth-focused workforce, adequate support for families and caregivers of children and young people, and ensuring children and young people have the support they need to meet their needs, must remain the focus for Oranga Tamariki.

The response by Oranga Tamariki to allegations and findings of abuse and neglect of children in care will be covered in more detail in the Aroturuki Tamariki 2024/25 Experiences of Care in Aotearoa report – to be published in February 2026.

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Editor’s notes

The oversight of oranga tamariki system’s role focuses on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki either through care and protection or youth justice.

The Independent Children’s Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, improving outcomes and complying with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations.

The Children’s Commissioner is the independent advocate for the rights, best interests, wellbeing and outcomes of children and young people under the age of 25 who are or have been in the system, as well as being the independent advocate for all of New Zealand’s children.

Media contacts:

Melissa Wastney (for the Children’s Commissioner)
029 909 2715

Rachel Dahlberg (for Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor)
029 951 2114