How well is Oranga Tamariki supporting caregivers?

Since 2019, Oranga Tamariki has provided caregivers with an annual opportunity to participate in a satisfaction survey to better understand their experiences and to provide insights about the support provided to them by Oranga Tamariki. The 2022 survey included the views of 705 Oranga Tamariki caregivers.

The findings from the survey highlight the areas where further focus and support is needed and will be used by Caregiver Recruitment and Support to develop a corrective action plan to ensure caregivers have what they need to provide stable, loving homes for the tamariki in their care. 

The key findings of the 2022 survey are:

• Around half of respondents were satisfied with the support provided (45%) and felt valued by Oranga Tamariki (47%).
• Many caregivers were satisfied with their Caregiver Social Worker; 81% felt respected by them, 72% reported receiving useful advice from their social worker and that their social worker was available when needed.
• A total of 76% of caregivers felt that the child’s social worker respected the child, and 72% felt respected by the child’s social worker.

Overall, the survey highlights that while many caregivers are satisfied with the social workers they interact with, they are less satisfied with Oranga Tamariki more generally. In particular caregivers said they would like:

• more support
• to be listened to
• to be respected
• to be valued
• to be involved in decisions more
• more and faster financial support
• for the child’s needs to be put first
• better information about tamariki when they come into their care.