Kids as young as 12 alone in MIQ – union

Dozens of children, some as young as 12, are going through managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) on their own in Auckland and Christchurch – and the nurses’ union and a psychologist are worried about their welfare.

Sixty-six 14- to 17-year-olds were in a special quarantine facility in Auckland. Last month, it housed 100 kids coming home in time to start school. But caring for the children was adding more pressure to nurses who said they already weren’t able to complete daily health checks because of understaffing.

Psychologist Dr Jane Millichamp said many older children could cope in MIQ, but it could cause ‘‘the perfect storm’’ for a vulnerable young person. A 12-year-old was ‘‘too young’’ to be alone in isolation.

Only residents and citizens, their children and partners, can travel to New Zealand as a measure to stop Covid-19 cases entering the country.

In December, three unaccompanied minors aged between 14 and 17 isolated in Christchurch, which lacks a dedicated facility. This grew to five in January, and two this month. ‘‘We know that for 14 to 17-year-olds, their brains are very much still developing,’’ Millichamp said.

Girls were prone to anxiety and depression, while boys were impulsive. Furthermore, young people might not feel comfortable speaking with adults they don’t know, and might be dealing with problems at home, or online bullying.

Physical contact was also very important for young people, she said.

Mental health could deteriorate rapidly, particularly for children who weren’t seeing a parent or caregiver.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation organiser Sharleen Rapoto said there were ‘‘floods’’ of children whom nurses were having to care for on top of their daily duties.

‘‘Some of them are on their own; some are with siblings,’’ Rapoto said.

‘‘Our nurses are now caregivers. Can you imagine: the youngest being 12 [and] the oldest being 17, they are already temperamental, they are teenagers. Straight away we had child protection concerns.’’

The union raised its concerns with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which oversees MIQ facilities, and was given assurances that government youth services were also caring for the children.

The union wasn’t aware of any specific child protection incidents, but Rapoto said this didn’t rule them out.

A spokesperson for government MIQ said almost all the children were aged between 14 and 17 in Auckland. Health and welfare staff had daily face-to-face interviews with the children.

‘‘On-site teams ensure unaccompanied minors are able to contact their friends and wha¯ nau, spend their assigned time outside, and connect with staff if they have any questions or concerns,’’ the spokesperson said.

A parent or guardian may join their child in isolation, which meant they wouldn’t have to stay in the dedicated Auckland facility. This was the preferred policy, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner said it was aware of the policy to allow unaccompanied minors in MIQ but wasn’t concerned.

‘‘We have advised on the policy to ensure it is as child-centred as possible. We believe parents and caregivers are best positioned to determine if staying alone in quarantine is appropriate for the young person.’’

More than 114,000 people have gone through managed isolation and quarantine facilities since March last year.