Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad has released a report on the use of seclusion in Oranga Tamariki facilities, calling for an urgent review of its use and the elimination of its use by young people.

The report says that no young person should be held in seclusion at any time, as it goes against their human rights – the UN has been very clear.

Dr Achmad said: “We need to keep central here the fact that no young person should be held in seclusion at any time, it goes against their human rights – the UN has been very clear.”

She also stated that the cohort of young people who were being cared for at Hikitia Te Wairua facility presented with complex behaviors. The team there did not have the particular specialist capabilities to deal with those complex behaviors, and that is why seclusion ended up being used.

Since March this year, no children or young people had been held in seclusion at the Hikitia Te Wairua facility, Dr Achmad said: “I want to see them continue to build on that progress.”

The report calls for a whole of system approach, so young people are safe. It also recommends an urgent review of the use of adult in-patient wards to treat mokopuna, and for a plan to reduce their use for children under 18 years old.

Dr Achmad said staff must be given comprehensive training, and a therapeutic de-escalation area be created for mokopuna, to help them self-soothe and regulate in an environment conducive to their needs.

The report’s 12 recommendations included reducing and eliminating the use of seclusion. Dr Achmad is calling for continued action so children and young people are safe.

Dr Claire Achmad said that was good news: “I am really pleased that the government agencies involved here have accepted all of our 12 recommendations that we have made in this report … they are being progressed.”

The use of seclusion by Oranga Tamariki facilities has been a topic of debate, with some arguing it is necessary for the safety and well-being of young people. However, others argue it can be damaging and neglects human rights.

Dr Achmad stated that she wants to see them continue to build on that progress.