highlights lack of family contact
Almost one in four tamariki and rangatahi in state care don't feel they can contact their birth families as much as they would like to.
The finding is from a Oranga Tamariki survey of more than 1500 children in care.
The survey, Te Tohu o te Ora, is the first of its kind for the ministry and will be carried out annually. It is set out in the report Te Mātātaki.
Ebony Flemming was taken into care at the age of five with her brother, and is now studying social work at university.
She said going into care was exciting at first because her birth mother said the siblings were going on holiday.
As time went on, the excitement faded into sadness.
"Just feeling alone and disconnected from especially my biological mother," she said.
"I did feel unsafe at some points because of course we were living with strangers for quite a few years."
She said Te Tohu o Te Ora was a good way to ensure voices like hers were heard.
Results of the survey offered some positivity.
Link to article: Oranga Tamariki survey highlights lack of family contact (msn.com)
