18731 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

Written Question

Published date: 20 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	18731 (2026)
Question asked:	06 May 2026
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister for Children
Minister replying:	Hon Karen Chhour
Answer received:	15 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_18731_2026
Document guid:	a9953adb-8c37-475e-bc83-56bcd2432ce5

18731 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: Further to 5243 (2026), what progress, if any, has been made recruit into youth justice residences clinically qualified staff with skills in trauma-responsive care under the Budget 2025 Professionalisation of the Residential Care Workforce initiative?

Hon Karen Chhour: The Professionalisation of the Residential Workforce initiative, which is funded across four years, is under development. I am advised that Oranga Tamariki is not currently recruiting for clinically qualified staff as part of this initiative. Work is currently underway to design new functions for youth justice residences, where staff with skills in trauma-responsive care will first be funded for recruitment as part of this initiative.