June 29, 2023
New child protection monitoring in place
Acting Prime Minister and Minister For Social Development Carmel Sepuloni believes the model for children’s advocacy and monitoring of Oranga Tamariki will get support across the political spectrum.
From July 1 the Children’s Commissioner’s advocacy role will become part of the new Children and Young People’s Commission.
An Independent Children’s Monitor will have oversight of Oranga Tamariki, and individual complaints will be dealt with by the Ombudsman.
“We actually had the Independent Children’s Monitor at select committee yesterday where representatives from all political parties had the chance to ask questions about the work they are doing to monitor care standards in Oranga Tamariki. I thought it was really positive actually and I felt from the other members including from other political parties there’s real hope in the new ,model we’ve set up and the role they can play in keeping our children safe,” Minister Sepuloni says.
Members of the new commission in addition to current Children’s Commissioner Frances Eivers will be announded this week.