Independent Children's Monitor

The Independent Children's Monitor (Aroturuki Tamariki) is a departmental agency within New Zealand's Education Review Office.^[1] It was established by the New Zealand Government in 2019 to ensure organisations working with children, young people, and their families were complying with the National Care Standards.^[2]^[3] On 1 May 2023, its role was expanded to include oversight over the entire Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) system. As of 2023, Arran Jones was the Chief Executive of the Independent Children's Monitor while Nova Banaghan served as the Chief Monitor.^[3]

Leadership and functions

Arran Jones serves as Chief Executive of the Independent Children's Monitor while Nova Banaghan served as the Chief Monitor.^[3]^[4] The Monitors are also supported by several Māori leaders known as Te Kāhui. As of 2023, Te Kāhui consists of Tā Mark Solomon, Druis Barrett, Katie Murray and Eugene Ryder.^[3] The Independent Children's Monitor also reports to Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston.^[4]

The Independent Children's Monitor is governed by the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022, which requires the agency to act independently of all government agencies that it monitors. Per law, its operations and findings are independent of government ministers and agencies.^[3] The Monitor also submits its reports to Parliament, whose Ministers do not have the power to comment on drafts. The Independent Children's Monitor also works with the Children and Young People's Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman.^[5] While the Commission focuses more on advocacy, the Children's Monitor is primarily a monitoring agency.^[6]

The Children's Monitor monitors the Oranga Tamaraki system by ensure that organisations working with children and young people comply with their goals and legal requirements, monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, National Care Standards regulations, and the Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022, and monitor systems-based performance by using an outcomes-based approach to vulnerable children and young people. Besides interacting with children, young people and their communities, the Children's Monitor also works with government agencies such as Oranga Tamariki and the New Zealand Police, and community organisations including Māori and iwi (tribal) organisations.^[4]

History

The Independent Children's Monitor was established in 2019 to ensure that organisations working with children and young people complied with the Government's National Care Standards.^[3] It was first established as a business unit of the Ministry of Social Development.^[1]

In August 2022, the Sixth Labour Government passed two new laws replacing the Office of the Children's Commissioner with the Children and Young People's Commission and sharing oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system between the Independent Monitor and Ombudsman.^[7]^[8]^[9]

In mid April 2023, Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott confirmed the appointment of Arran Jones to the positions of Independent Monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System and Chief Executive of the Independent Children's Monitor, commencing 1 May 2023.^[1] The Independent Children's Monitor's role was also expanded to include oversight of the entire Oranga Tamariki system. The organisation was also reconstituted as a departmental agency within the Education Review Office.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Chief Executive of Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children's Monitor appointed". Public Service Commission. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ "Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children's Monitor". Office of the Ombudsman. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "About us". Aroturuki Tamariki. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Aroturuki Tamariki: Independent Children's Monitor". Govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ Hill, Ruth (23 June 2023). "New monitor promises to be vigilant over Oranga Tamariki". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ "Children's Commissioner no more as new oversight Children and Young People's Commission launches". The New Zealand Herald. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
^ Palmer, Russell (24 August 2022). "Labour passes Oranga Tamariki reforms despite opposition from other parties". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
^ Witton, Bridie (24 August 2022). "Oranga Tamariki oversight bill passes third reading". Stuff. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
^ Sepuloni, Carmel (24 August 2022). "Government strengthens oversight for children in state care". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.