5382 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

5382 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: What is the timeframe for Oranga Tamariki to pilot new approaches to general caregiver support, including for increased respite, stronger assurance mechanisms in group homes, different ways of using contractor care, and rethinking specialist care?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised Oranga Tamariki has established the Integrated Safe Care Response Programme to deliver on the Budget 2025 initiative “Recognising and Responding to Abuse in Care”. This four-year programme of work will support all child and young people to be safe, supported and receive tailored care, no matter where they are in the system. This work will include (among other things) new approaches to caregiver support, standard operating procedures and assurance mechanisms for community and remand homes. I am further advised specific delivery timeframes for this work will be determined in Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year.