Release of the second report on agency compliance with NCS Regulations 1 October to 31 December 2019
The Monitor’s second report covers agency compliance with the Oranga Tamariki (National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 (NCS Regulations).
The report focuses on regulations 69 and 85, which relate to reports of abuse and neglect of children and young people in care, and regulation 86, which requires agencies to monitor their own compliance.
There are currently four agencies that have statutory care and custody of tamariki and rangatahi, and are being monitored under this legislation – Oranga Tamariki, Dingwall Trust, Open Home Foundation and Barnardos.
The report outlines findings for the six-month period from 1 July to 31 December 2019, including the three months from 1 July to 30 September 2019 covered in the initial report. Monitored agencies have provided responses on those findings.
Summary of findings – 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019:
- All agencies were compliant with regulations 69, 85 and 86 from a policy and procedure perspective.
- In response to regulations 69 and 85, Barnardos and Dingwall Trust reported no cases of abuse or neglect and therefore testing of their compliance was not required.
- Open Home Foundation reported one allegation of abuse or neglect and Oranga Tamariki reported 392 allegations of abuse or neglect.
- Based on information provided, Open Home Foundation was compliant with regulations 69 and 85.
- Based on information provided, Oranga Tamariki was only partially compliant with regulation 69. It has been successful in ensuring a child’s plan is reviewed, and there has been improvement in reviewing caregiver plans and providing support. Three primary areas for improvement were identified.
- The timeliness of investigations and assessments following an allegation of abuse or harm.
- Letting tamariki, rangatahi and relevant parties know about the outcome of the allegation.
- Providing assurance over allegations, where a decision is made, either at the Oranga Tamariki National Contact Centre or a local site, that no further assessment is required.
- Based on information provided, Oranga Tamariki was compliant with regulation 85.
The Monitor acknowledges that it will take several reporting periods for it to receive the level of quantitative and qualitative data required to draw trends and patterns, and that practice change takes time to embed within agencies.
Reporting on the full regulations from December 2020 and annual reporting will help shape a more complete picture of practice against the NCS Regulations.