News from the Independent Children’s Monitor

Hui explains how agencies are working together

The Independent Children’s Monitor, along with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the Office of the Ombudsman, have been hosting regional hui around Aotearoa to help people understand how the agencies are working together to strengthen independent oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system.

A total of 19 hui will be held before the end of March, with an overview of the themes from all the hui published on the Independent Children’s Monitor’s website towards the end of March, once all are completed.

The information and presentations shared at the hui will also be published on their website and promoted through their newsletter. Subscribe to ensure you receive updates.

The final few regional hui are scheduled for Kaitaia on 11 March, Whangarei on 12 March and Lower Hutt on 16 March.

This is just the beginning of the Monitor’s engagement. If you are a children’s professional (non-government or government agency – particularly in the social sector), a provider of services to tamariki and or rangatahi or local iwi we’d love to see you at one of our remaining hui.

Pictured: Independent Children’s Monitor Director Melissa Gill speaking at a hui.

Initial monitoring report published

The Independent Children’s Monitor has published its initial monitoring report which covers its first three months of monitoring.

The report – Agency Compliance with Regulations 69 and 85 of the Oranga Tamariki (National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations – is available on their website.

The report sets the background and context of the Independent Children’s Monitor, including its role in strengthening the independent oversight of the Oranga Tamaki system. It covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019.

There are currently four agencies being monitored who have custody or care for children in their own right – Oranga Tamariki, Dingwall Trust, Open Home Foundation and Barnardos.

The next two reports on the Monitor’s activity will be presented to the Minister for Children in June and December 2020, before being published on their website.