In June this year, our Glenmore Lighthouse hosted Mana Mokopuna (formally known as the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (or OCC)) for an announced monitoring visit. This visit took place over three days, with a whakatau held on the first day to welcome the team.
The Children’s Commissioner is a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The role of Mana Mokopuna is to visit places of detention, including residences run in partnership with Oranga Tamariki, to:
· Examine the conditions and treatment of mokopuna.
· Identify any improvements required or problems needing to be addressed.
· Make recommendations aimed at strengthening protections, improving treatment and conditions, and preventing ill treatment.
A number of our frontline kaimahi and rangatahi in the home shared kai and korero with our manuhiri throughout their visit. On the final day, the Mana Mokopuna team shared feedback that they saw and felt our Kia Puāwai tikanga of aroha, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and wairuatanga throughout their visit - sharing many examples of how our kaimahi role-model tikanga in everyday practice.
They described our whare as “warm and welcoming”, and our kaimahi were seen to go above and beyond to meet the needs of rangatahi. One of the key points highlighted, was that Mana Mokopuna could see the strength in the relationships between kaimahi, not just with each other, but more importantly with rangatahi in the home.
We now have the written report, and we think it’s outstanding. Here are some more highlights:
· Mokopuna said they feel safe, well cared for and love being at Glenmore. It feels like a home for mokopuna. Kia Puāwai have robust policies and processes to ensure the safety and needs of mokopuna are met whilst in Glenmore.
· Kaimahi empower mokopuna to uphold their tino rangatiratanga.
· Kaimahi have developed strong foundations in the whare based on core values to enhance and strengthen relationships with mokopuna.
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou e te Whare Glenmore.