Master of Health Research thesis

This qualitative study examines the under-researched area of trauma and trauma-informed care in Oranga Tamariki care and protection residences and group homes. Compared to international standards, Aotearoa continues to use a high level of secure residential care despite significant issues and harm associated with this type of care. Rangatahi Māori are consistently over-represented in care and protection residences (57%) due to the ongoing impacts of colonisation. Young people in care and protection residences and group homes experience disproportionately high rates of trauma and present with the most complex mental health needs in Aotearoa. International research also highlights the prevalence of extensive trauma for young people in residential care. In 2017, Oranga Tamariki stated their intention to develop a trauma-informed system-wide framework. In 2021, Oranga Tamariki announced their plan to close care and protection residences, replace them with community-based group homes and develop a therapeutic model of care. This research examined to what extent trauma-informed care is currently implemented in Oranga Tamariki policies, models of care and practice in care and protection residences and group homes. (From author's abstract). Record #9036