Foster care quality criticised

The Children's Commissioner has slammed the quality of foster care in New Zealand, saying the "bar is set too low."

In a report released today John Angus said that many children in the hands of the state are not receiving the quality of care they deserve.

The report found that many young people who spend time in state care end up over-represented in prison, on the streets and addicted to drugs and alcohol.

They were often moved through a number of homes, and allowed to visit families who let older children to drink alcohol and take drugs and watch pornography during visits.

It said that too often, although the children were given a place to eat and sleep, they were denied the opportunity to strive for higher education, and their cultural and recreational needs were often overlooked.

Some children were also forced to visit their parents in prison although they didn't want to.

In a statement about the report, Mr Angus said he knew the job of providing foster care was not an easy one, and there was evidence of some good work going on.

"But we're falling short too often," he said.

"This group of young people are some of the most vulnerable in the country. Many have suffered abuse or neglect and have high emotional, physical and educational needs. It is important we get it right."

He said in the short term, the children were safe, but they needed more than that.

"While I'm amazed at the resilience of these young people - and their optimism - there's a real sadness around what they had to say about disruptions to their education, losing contact with family and about the trauma of having to shift home so often."

The commissioner said placements were sometimes haphazard and planning for the child or young person's time in care sometimes did not give enough attention to the full range of their needs.

"Too often we set the bar too low."

Mr Angus urged the Government to take a close look at the report's recommendations and implement them as a matter of priority.

He said it was important for all the Government agencies involved to do their job properly.

The report investigated the quality of services provided to the 5200 children in the care of Child, Youth and Family.

- © Fairfax NZ News