Grievance Panel Member

Approx 5-10 hours a month
- Hourly rate contracts

**About us | Mo m tou**

Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

- We put **Tamariki** first
- We believe **Aroha** is vital
- We respect the **Mana** of people
- We are **Tika** and **Pono**:

- We value **Whakapapa**:

- We recognise that **Oranga** is a journey

Our purpose is to ensure that all tamariki are in loving wh nau and communities where oranga tamariki can be realised. We believe that by getting involved early in their lives and showing love and care, we give children the best chance of growing into happy thriving New Zealanders.

We are committed to putting children first, we believe aroha is vital, we respect the mana of people, we are tika and pono, we value whakapapa and we recognise that oranga is a journey.

**About grievance panels**

Oranga Tamariki currently operates eight secure residences for tamariki and rangatahi, three provide care and protection placements, five residences provide youth justice placements, and a ninth residence, operated by Barnardos under contract to Oranga Tamariki, provides placements for the harmful sexual behaviour programme.

Each residence has in place a grievance procedure, Wh ia te M ramatanga, as set out in the Oranga Tamariki (Residential Care) Regulations 1996. This provides a forum for tamariki and rangatahi placed in residences to voice their concerns and to have their complaints addressed.

An independent grievance panel for each residence is appointed by the Minister for Children to oversee grievances made by tamariki and rangatahi and carry out any subsequent investigations. Each panel is comprised of two community members and one tangata whenua member who is nominated by the local iwi from the location of the residence.

**Important note**: as this role includes the grievance panel members visiting the tamariki and rangatahi at the residence, you must reside in the area in which the residence is situated.

**Role of the grievance panel**

Under the Regulations, each grievance panel has three key roles in relation to the grievance procedure at the residence:

- independent monitoring;
- investigation; and
- reporting.

**The impact you will have**:

- Promoting and upholding the mana of the grievance process which is a platform for tamariki and rangatahi to voice any concerns while in residence.
- Providing an independent oversight to the grievance process within youth justice and care and protection residences.
- Building professional relationships with tamariki and rangatahi, residence staff and management by visiting the residence on a regular schedule.
- Ensuring investigations are robust and child centred by overseeing investigations carried out by the residence.
- Conducting independent investigations or reviews as requested by tamariki and rangatahi.

**Hours of work and remuneration**

The role of grievance panel members is casual and does not have predetermined hours of work. It is estimated that panel members will each spend approximately 5 - 10 hours per month carrying out their duties, depending on the size of the residence. The amount of time spent engaging in panel duties may fluctuate depending on what, if any, issues arise in relation to the oversight of the grievance process.

Fees for the role are set at $360 per day (pro rata) for members ($45 per hour) and $499 per day (pro rata) for the Chair ($62.40 per hour) in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework.

**Current Vacancies**:

- Two community grievance panel members for Epuni, which is a 15-bed care and protection residence in Lower Hutt.

**For more information see the Grievance Panel Member Position Description**

**Applications close Sunday, 8th June 2025.