The State must make real the National Care Standards for all children and young people in care

Stronger, more consistent focus on meeting the National Care Standards (NCS) for children and young people in care is still urgently needed, says Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad. This is in response to the new Experiences of Care in Aotearoa report published today by Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children’s Monitor.

The report, the fifth of its kind, outlines how agencies including Oranga Tamariki comply with the National Care Standards Regulations. It finds no real improvement by the State in meeting the minimum standards of care that the State itself has set for the more than 5,600 mokopuna (children and young people) in the care system.

Dr Achmad says the National Care Standards were designed together with care-experienced mokopuna.

“They reflect their real-life experiences and rights and are important because they set the basic minimums for what mokopuna in care should experience to be well and do well.”

This year’s report finds failures in safety, wellbeing and consistency across the care system.

“As their independent advocate, I will always hold the highest aspirations for all New Zealand’s mokopuna – including all of those in care. Oranga Tamariki and children’s system agencies must get the basics right. Failing to do so is preventing mokopuna from flourishing to their full potential. I want the NCS to be made real for all mokopuna in care, now.”

Experiences of Care reports that in the past year, 530 children and young people were found to have been abused in care – an increase on the previous year. Nearly 250 children and young people in care spent a total of over 4,000 nights in motels instead of secure placements, also an increase.

“Mokopuna often enter the care system because of trauma and violence at home. It’s their right to be safe always. When they are in the care system, the State must ensure they are free from all abuse, and in living situations that are safe, secure and stable,” says Dr Achmad.

“The report shows that mokopuna in care can thrive when they are safe and have the right support around them, like regular and consistent social worker visits. There are examples of quality, consistent practice. But it also shows that a third of mokopuna in care were still not being visited by their social worker as often as they should. Oranga Tamariki must ensure its social workers can do their work well every day, and spend quality, consistent time with mokopuna to meet their needs.”

The report shows that mokopuna in care have higher mental health support needs than the general child and youth population, yet accessing services remains a struggle for some, and their rate of hospitalisation for self-harm is much higher.

Dr Achmad says she is “pleased that Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Health are working more closely together to support the mental health of mokopuna in care. I want to see more of this kind of joined up work between the children’s system agencies, prioritising mokopuna in care.”

“To make real progress on the NCS, it is essential that partnerships between Oranga Tamariki and iwi, kaupapa Māori and community social services keep being strengthened. Oranga Tamariki must follow through on better support for caregivers, because they are playing a crucial role in the lives of children, and we need more people in New Zealand to be encouraged into these roles.

“Today’s report shows exactly where the State must focus with urgency, to make real the National Care Standards for all mokopuna in care. I want to see Oranga Tamariki and all children’s system agencies prioritising the basic safety and wellbeing of mokopuna in care, to deliver on their rights and respond to their experiences. The State must do this to give them the chance to thrive.”

ends

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is available for interviews.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Melissa Wastney
029 909 2715

The oversight system

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

Aroturuki Tamariki | 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.

Mana Mokopuna - 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 under the age of 18.

The Ombudsman is the independent watchdog of Government, and receives complaints from children and young people (and their whānau and representatives) about decisions and actions affecting them in the system. The Ombudsman investigates concerns where needed.