Psychologist quits Oranga Tamariki bootcamp after two months

A senior psychologist at the government's bootcamp for young offenders quit the role less than two months into the start of this year's programme, RNZ can reveal.

The second intake of ten youths at the military style academy began in March and is near the end of the residential phase, with the transition into the community phase set to begin next month.

In a statement to RNZ, Oranga Tamariki wouldn't confirm the resignation saying it was unable to comment on individual employment matters, but stated the current programme had continuous clinical support and "has no staffing concerns."

The second iteration of the government's bootcamps began in March, with more staff and a longer residence phase - young people would now spend four months instead of three in the youth justice facility.

National campaigned on implementing young offender military academies last election. It became part of a government commitment to crack down on youth crime.

The pilot, involving ten young people, was launched in July 2024 by Minister for Children Karen Chhour.

A review of the pilot camp in 2024 found it was too thin on clinical staff. Oranga Tamariki told RNZ it had learned from that.

The programme currently underway had three senior psychologists, but Oranga Tamariki wouldn't say whether the vacancy from the earlier resignation had been filled.

Just last week, Chhour attended the Social Services Committee Scrutiny hearing, along with officials from Oranga Tamariki, and was questioned about the current programme.

She was asked if the bootcamps were the best use of taxpayer money, and responded saying "we can't afford not to invest that money".

Speaking after the hearing, Oranga Tamariki officials said they were currently working on the future implementation of a permanent MSA policy, but waiting for the legislation to come through.

The bill to establish permanent bootcamps was introduced to Parliament at the end of 2024, and had a select committee report in May last year, but hasn't yet had its second reading.

It's not clear when the second reading will happen, but Chhour told RNZ in a statement "I fully expect this legislation to be passed before the end of the term."

Asked to comment on the resignation, a spokesperson for the Minister told RNZ her office was unaware of any staff movements around the MSA.

The spokesperson said Public Service Chief Executives are the sole employers of the staff within their agencies and Ministers or their offices are not required to receive updates on individual staff members employment.