Oranga Tamariki staffer being investigated following assault claims

Friday, 26 July 2019

Oranga Tamariki has started an investigation into an alleged incident in Invercargill.

The Invercargill parents of a 4-year-old boy claim a staff member at Oranga Tamariki, formerly known as Child, Youth and Family, assaulted their child while he was in the organisation's care.

Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy, of Invercargill police, confirmed they had received a report regarding an alleged incident involving an Oranga Tamariki staff member.

Inquiries into the matter were ongoing and there was no further comment or information police could provide at this time, McCloy said.

Oranga Tamariki lower South Island acting regional manager Paul Casson also said he was aware of an alleged incident involving an Oranga Tamariki staff member.

* Children's Minister quizzed on state care abuse figures

* Oranga Tamariki confident in reforms in face of 220 children harmed, 2000 caregiver complaints**

Casson confirmed the organisation was itself investigating, but said they were unable to provide any further information to protect the privacy of everyone involved.

The parents said their boy was under the care of Oranga Tamariki staff when they visited him at Family Start in Invercargill last week.

The boy had been aggressive towards the father during their once-weekly one hour visit with him with Oranga Tamariki staff in attendance, they said.

They claimed they had since been informed by Oranga Tamariki that, after their late afternoon visit, the boy punched an Oranga Tamariki staff member who in turn slapped the four-year-old across the face.

The staff member should have walked away, the boy's parents said.

'We get told at parenting courses to walk away.'

Casson refused to comment on the details of the allegation, including on whether the staff member had been stood down pending the outcome of its investigation.

However, he said Oranga Tamariki took all allegations of harm against children and young people very seriously.

'Any allegations that our staff have caused harm are dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary policy and guidelines.'

If allegations of harm were substantiated, a staff member could face disciplinary action including dismissal, he said.

'Oranga Tamariki has a duty to care for children and young people and our staff work hard to keep them safe from harm.'

In March, it was revealed an investigation into abuse in state care found more than 220 already-damaged children nationwide were further harmed in 2018.

Of the reported abuse, 36 children were sexually harmed, 182 physically harmed, 35 neglected and 83 emotionally harmed by caregivers, family members, other children and Oranga Tamariki staff.

The majority of the abused were placed with families they had remained with, or returned to, after state intervention; families said to be supported by Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.