New Zealand Highlights Kinship Care’s Vital Role in Child Welfare

Kinship care, a crucial support system for children who can no longer live with their parents, is gaining attention during Global Kinship Care Week. This initiative underscores the significant role that family members, including grandparents, aunties, uncles, and close family friends, play in nurturing children facing complex challenges such as mental health issues, violence, or neglect. Recent research conducted in New Zealand emphasizes the urgent need for greater recognition and support for these caregivers.

The study, titled “Strengthening Kinship Care in New Zealand,” was completed by Family for Every Child and endorsed by Children’s Commissioner Dr. Claire Achmad. Released this week, it highlights the pressing need to better normalize and support kinship care, which currently involves approximately 22,000 children in New Zealand. The report is the first major investigation of its kind in over a decade.

Dr. Michelle Egan-Bitran from Family for Every Child stated, “Kinship care is the preferred option when children can’t live with their parents. It’s a really important strategy for keeping children safe and cared for.” She emphasized that kinship care not only provides safety but also fosters a sense of belonging and connection for children.

Despite the critical nature of kinship care, many caregivers lack adequate support and financial assistance. The report stresses the necessity for all kinship care arrangements—whether formal or informal—to receive recognition and tailored support. Recommendations include the development of clear policies and strategies, increased public awareness, and enhanced capability within the social service workforce.

Dr. Egan-Bitran called on the government to prioritize kinship care within broader care reform efforts. “The message [to the Government] would be, first of all, for an overall need for a child abuse prevention strategy, an action plan, an intervention,” she noted. She added that addressing financial burdens for kinship caregivers is essential for equitable support across both statutory and informal care settings.

The report further suggests that the government should invest in training for kinship caregivers to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge. Strengthening the workforce’s capability is also crucial, as those interacting with children in kinship care must understand the complexities involved.

New Zealand’s record on child welfare has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding child abuse and fatalities. “On average, one child dies every five weeks at the hands of those responsible for their care,” Dr. Egan-Bitran stated. Based on current statistics, it is expected that two more children could die before Christmas.

“There is currently no child abuse prevention strategy and action plan in New Zealand,” Dr. Egan-Bitran pointed out. She emphasized the need for a coordinated approach across government and community organizations to tackle child abuse and neglect effectively. “A core component of that is kinship care,” she concluded.

As the conversation around child welfare evolves, it is imperative that kinship care receives the recognition and resources it deserves to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in New Zealand.