Recording decision responses

Update made to this content

9 February 2026: the paragraph about communicating with social workers or supervisors has been updated.

Tamariki and rangatahi in care

All section 15 notifications are recorded as an Intake, including concerns for tamariki in care.   

We communicate all information or concerns received about tamariki or rangatahi in care to the allocated social worker and the caregiver social worker (where allocated) in a CYRAS casenote reminder. We also speak directly with the social worker or their supervisor as soon as practicable to ensure they are aware of the information or concerns.

Contact record – non-section 15

A contact record is used by the national contact centre (NCC) to record non-section 15 advice given or information provided.

A contact record can only be used if the information discloses no harm, abuse, neglect, safety and wellbeing needs for te tamaiti.

Tamariki and rangatahi with an open case

Information must not be entered only as a casenote – where 'new' information identifies concerns that are different from the previous concerns or are the same as previous concerns but have occurred at a different time, this information must be considered using the decision response tool.

A casenote is used to record information for open cases where there are no concerns being raised.

A casenote is appropriate if the 'new' information is the same as the concerns (both in the nature and the timeframe of the concerns) being assessed or investigated in the open case, or in the context of the work with te tamaiti or rangatahi. The new information can be used to contribute to the building and deepening of understanding, leading to a potential change in case direction.

Intake (no further action - NFA) – all section 15

All section 15 notifications are recorded as an Intake.

This includes concerns where NCC has been unable to identify te tamaiti or rangatahi, or the reports are incomplete.