Practice tools

Our practice approach tools and resources

Organising my practice

The Organising my Practice tool is a practical application of the practice framework that helps us to plan our mahi and take an organised, intentional approach. It encourages critical thinking and analysis.

Te Puna Oranga

Te Puna Oranga is our holistic and ecological approach to understanding harm, risk and safety, and the needs, strengths and aspirations of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau or family for their sustained oranga.

Frame within a frame

We apply the concept of a frame within a frame to support a stronger response to harm and risk of harm within the context of oranga and move us from being incident focused.

Oranga-framed practice prompts

The oranga-framed practice prompts demonstrate how the ebbs and flows of life are part of each dimension of oranga. They prompt us to deepen our understanding and think critically about the aspects of each dimension of oranga and the interconnections.

Tiaki Oranga

Tiaki Oranga is our tool to help us understand and plan for current safety, harm and risk for te tamaiti or rangatahi. We complete it more than once across the practice continuum for all service lines. Tiaki Oranga replaces the safety and risk screen.

Assessment report

The assessment report records our understanding of harm, safety and protection for te tamaiti or rangatahi or their offending behaviour at a point in time, or our recommendation relating to a caregiver or adoption application and what should happen next.

Youth justice assessment

Youth justice kaimahi can use these resources in their everyday practice.

Underlying causes of offending behaviour – dynamic and static risk factors

When we are working with tamariki and rangatahi with offending behaviour and their whānau or family, we build and deepen our understanding of the context and environment, including any dynamic and static risk factors that may be contributing.

Te Toka Tūmoana

Te Toka Tūmoana is our practice model for working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau Māori across all areas of practice, including youth justice, care and protection, adoptions and caregiver recruitment and support.

Va'aifetū

Va'aifetū is our practice model for working with Pacific children, young people and families across all areas of practice – youth justice, care and protection, adoptions and caregiver recruitment and support. It is for Pacific and non-Pacific kaimahi.

Intake decision response tool

Overview of the intake decision response tool

We use the intake decision response tool (DRT) to decide on the appropriate report of concern response pathway when we receive information or concerns for tamariki or rangatahi, including those in care or custody, and the criticality of that response.

Considerations when responding to information received

Use these prompts to gather and assess as much information as possible from the person reporting the concerns about te tamaiti.

Report of concern response timeframe

When we determine a report of concern requires a statutory response, we must decide the timeframe to complete Tiaki Oranga.

Report of concern response pathway – further action required

We undertake the core assessment phase when there is further action required (FAR) – either a child and family assessment or an investigation.

Considerations when developing a decision response

Pathways in response to a report of concern include no further action and refer to services.

Recording decision responses

We use contact records, casenotes, or reports of concern to record decision responses. For tamariki and rangatahi in care, we also talk directly with the allocated social worker or their supervisor.

Reports of concern about sexualised behaviour

How to decide on a response to a report of concern involving sexual behaviour of tamariki or rangatahi.

Other practice and assessment tools

Child/young person and family consult

The consult aims to structure our thinking and support decision-making to support oranga, including safety, for tamariki and rangatahi.

SACS, Kessler and Suicide screens (SKS)

The SKS screens help us assess whether te tamaiti is dealing with substance abuse issues, suffering from psychological distress, or at risk of death by suicide.

Suicide risk tool – question prompt examples

This tool provides some example questions to ask a tamaiti or rangatahi who might be at risk of suicide.

Gateway assessments

A gateway assessment is an interagency process that helps to clarify and identify ways to address the health and education needs of tamariki and rangatahi we work with.

Three Houses engagement tool

The Three Houses are a visual way to identify strengths, risks and vulnerabilities as well as the hopes and dreams of te tamaiti and their whānau or family.

Using scaling questions

Scaling questions are a valuable tool we can use to build and deepen our understanding with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family and others. They assume that things happen on a continuum and open up room for discussion about what could be different.

Practice triggers

Use these practice triggers to guide decision-making and help with case planning.

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