56122 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

56122 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: What percent, if any, of Oranga Tamariki caregivers were fully assessed for the year 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024?

Hon Karen Chhour: I have interpreted your question to be referring to the number of people who have started and completed a full caregiver assessment. Note this process involves: enquiring about the process, completing the application pack, engaging in the caregiver assessment, and receiving the outcome letter. I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, 633 new caregiver applications were fully assessed, meaning the above process had been completed and an outcome decision has been given on their caregiver application. At 30 June 2024 there were a total of 2431 approved caregivers with Oranga Tamariki. Note this encompasses new and current approved caregivers and includes various types of caregivers (Short term, Emergency care, Respite care, Family home care, Permanent care). This number does not represent the number of caregivers who have a child in their care, but the number of caregivers who have an approved caregiver status. The caregiver applications assessed for the time period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 (633) make up 26 percent of the total number of approved caregivers (2431) at 30 June 2024.