A children's advocate is urging Oranga Tamariki to sort out issues that are leading to them missing critical meetings aimed at protecting at-risk children.
On Thursday, the Ministry for Children was called out by the chief victims advisor for not sending social workers to critical meetings for keeping abused children from harm.
Deputy chief executive tamariki and whānau services Thomas Ronan said being at the meetings was one of the agency's priorities, and it was actively working to improve attendance.
He said staffing constraints were one of many factors that could be affecting attendance, and sometimes frontline kaimahi were also diverted to urgent or critical responses to ensure the immediate safety of tamariki and whānau.
Safeguarding Children chief executive Willow Duffy told Morning Report Oranga Tamariki needed to sort out its resourcing.
"It's unacceptable that the frontline social workers have not got the time," she said.
"And that will be what it is, it won't be down to not caring."
Duffy said the meetings provided an opportunity to prevent harm to the child involved, and Oranga Tamariki needed to put more focus into prevention.
"This is a real opportunity to prevent the abuse."
"Children only get one childhood and they cannot wait for a system to change," she said.
"That system needs to change now, and this needs to be made a priority."
Read the full article at RNZ (Radio New Zealand) →📄Source document: Deputy chief executive tamariki and whānau services Thomas Ronan
1 reports
RNZ (Radio New Zealand)State / PublicCenter2 days agoA children's advocate has criticized Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand's Ministry for Children, for failing to send social workers to critical meetings designed to protect at-risk children. The issue was raised during a call with the chief victims advisor, who highlighted concerns over missed opportunities to prevent harm to vulnerable children. Deputy chief executive Thomas Ronan acknowledged staffing challenges and other factors impacting attendance, while Safeguarding Children CEO Willow Duffy emphasized the need for improved resourcing and a stronger focus on prevention.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: criticism from the advocate and comments from Oranga Tamariki officials acknowledging challenges. There is no overtly biased language, and the framing remains neutral, focusing on the issue rather than taking a stance on the matter.
Official sources cited
- government Deputy chief executive tamariki and whānau services Thomas Ronan
- government Safeguarding Children chief executive Willow Duffy
NZ