Motel remands ‘not ideal’
Motels are not the ideal place to hold children accused of criminal offending, Oranga Tamariki admits, but sometimes there is no other option.
In some situations the children just have to be housed in a motel with one of the 133 parttime minders employed on shortterm contracts and paid $20.65 an hour to look after them.
The practice was brought to public attention after a 12-yearold boy evaded his minder’s care last month and was later found roaming the streets of Hastings with a large hunting knife.
The boy had been on bail and was in Oranga Tamariki care after appearing in the Youth Court on a charge of aggravated robbery. When Judge Peter Callinicos discovered Oranga Tamariki had put the boy in a local motel with a minder who had no power to restrain him, he said the practice was ‘‘extremely serious’’ and ‘‘one which is going to lead to a tragedy’’. The boy has since admitted his offending and is currently in a youth facility.
Information provided by Oranga Tamariki to Stuff under the Official Information Act reveals that in emergency situations or when an alternative placement is not available, children can be placed in temporary accommodation such as a motel.
This only occurs ‘‘in extraordinary circumstances and as a temporary measure’’, said Oranga Tamariki general manager of public, ministerial and executive services Steve Groom.
‘‘While we acknowledge this isn’t ideal, for some children a motel is the safest temporary placement while we find them a more permanent arrangement,’’ Groom said.
The organisation was ‘‘working hard to reduce the need for temporary accommodation’’, with additional funding granted this year going towards improving the availability of placements.
The decision to place a child in a motel involves a social worker and supervisor, and requires a manager’s approval.
If the child is not being cared for by a family member or caregiver, they will have a minder – officially known as a ‘‘resource worker’’ – who monitors and supervises them.
Resource workers are employed as and when required on a short-term basis.
They must have previous experience in social services and working with children and young people, and they must undergo police vetting and a number of other safety and risk checks.
They undertake a variety of other roles, including babysitting, supervision of community work, and transporting clients as required.
‘‘They are not permitted to physically restrain any child or young person they are supervising unless they are likely to put themselves or a member of the public at harm,’’ Groom said.
‘‘For some children a motel is the safest temporary placement.’’ Oranga Tamariki spokesman Steve Groom
There are 133 resource workers and they are paid an average hourly wage of $20.65.