The chair of the ministerial advisory board for Oranga Tamariki says he’s pleased Childen’s Minister Karen Chhour has seen the need for its continued input.
The board has been reappointed under chair Tā Mark Solomon, with one new member, former police Youth Aid head Chris Graveson.
Tā Mark says the board, which acts independently of the child protection agency, is keen to look at how decision making can be devolved back to communities and iwi, hapū and community organisations empowered to take responsibility for looking after children who might otherwise be placed in state care.
“She wants us to monitor the implementation of the Oranga Tamariki strategic direction strengthening the role of caregivers. We’re still to keep an eye on the professional social work practise, the organisation of the culture within the building and most importantly the development and devolution of decision making back into the communities,” he says.
Tā Mark Solomon says there are currently 12 pilot projects around the country looking at different devolution models.
