Last updated: 23/03/2025

Practice tool

Practice triggers

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

Updates made to this page

Changes have been made to a number of pages on the Practice Centre to align with the practice approach. Specific changes include:

Tiaki Oranga replaces the safety and risk screen, and is now being used throughout the life of a case, across service lines whenever we need to understand current safety.
All references to the Tuituia domains and subdomains have been removed and we now promote the use of Te Puna Oranga and our models, tools and resources to build and deepen our understanding.
The Tuituia report has been replaced with the assessment report.

When to use them

Use the practice triggers in conjunction with the practice framework and other tools when working with:

tamariki under 5 years
tamariki or rangatahi affected by family violence
disabled tamariki or rangatahi.

How to use them

Choose the practice triggers that best fit the case you're working on. Then use them as a prompt:

when planning your mahi using Organising my Practice
as part of case supervision
during case consults
when articulating your understanding in your assessment report
when you're planning for a home visit, or debriefing afterwards.

Organising my practice

Vulnerable infant practice triggers

Use the vulnerable infant practice triggers at the point of intake and in all child and family assessments and investigations that include a tamaiti aged under 5 years.

Access additional guidance, information and resources:
Working with tamariki aged under 5 years
Strengthening our response to unborn or newborn pēpi

Are we building an understanding of oranga with a focus on safety of the infant within a sibling group notification?
Are we paying attention to any injuries and bruising, particularly to the face and head, when considering the safety of the infant? Bruises are extremely rare in infants under 6 months. Infants aged between 6 and 9 months may develop bruises as they begin to cruise – bruises on the anterior lower leg, knee, upper leg and forehead may be an expected finding in cruising and walking toddlers. Bruises on the cheek, back, chest and upper arm are much less commonly observed but may be seen in infants as they begin to walk independently. Bruises on the abdomen, buttocks, hands and feet are extremely rare in both infants and toddlers. Bruises that are not over bony prominences are uncommon.

How are we building and deepening our understanding, particularly given their vulnerability, to address oranga and safety needs of the infant?
Are all the concerns in the notification, particularly any injuries or bruising and their explanation, being fully assessed?
Is the enquiry engaging the father and his whānau or family and considering their relationship to the infant?
How are we planning with whānau or family and others to address the oranga of the infant with a focus on safety?

Family violence practice triggers

These triggers are particularly helpful in local inter-agency response forums like the Family Violence Interagency Response System (FVIARS).

When building and deepening our understanding, how has our focus remained on te tamaiti or rangatahi and how they are being affected by the violence?
What have we done to help te tamaiti or rangatahi safely tell their story about the impact of family violence on their day-to-day life?
What do we understand about the impact of the violence on the oranga of te tamaiti or rangatahi? How have we used our understanding to inform decision-making?
How have we understood the age and developmental stage of te tamaiti or rangatahi?
When considering risk, how have we considered specific times of vulnerability such as post-separation and escalation of violence?
Paying specific attention to cumulative harm, how have we considered the history to inform our decision-making about the current situation of each tamaiti or rangatahi?
Consider the nature, frequency and history of the violence. What services have previously been involved to address the violence? What does this information tell us?

What does safety look like to this tamaiti or rangatahi and how have we used that in developing plans?
How are we ensuring te tamaiti or rangatahi is safe in all contact with their parents or caregivers?
How will te tamaiti or rangatahi maintain their sense of identity and stay connected with their wider whānau, community and peer group?
In situations of repeat notifications, how are we providing a different response?

Focusing on the parents, caregivers and whānau or family:

How have we engaged with maternal and paternal extended whānau or family, to provide enduring safety?
Who else knows this whānau or family and how have we included them in building safety and supporting the plan?
What does improvement look like and how is our response addressing the violence in the whānau or family?

Family violence

Working effectively with whānau or families impacted by violence

Disability practice triggers

Use these triggers as a prompt to identify services and processes needed when working with tamariki and rangatahi with a disability.

Services

Understand needs early – obtain a diagnosis to inform and access services.
Mobilise cross-sectoral services to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
Plan transition to adult services early – don't leave it until the last minute.

Communication

Tamariki and rangatahi with a disability can communicate – look for ways to seek their views.
Keep language straightforward and avoid jargon.
Speak directly to te tamaiti or rangatahi.
Consider information that may be generated through gestures, facial expressions and behaviours.

Disability

Ages and developmental stages

Tamariki and rangatahi go through various stages as they grow. There are typical behaviours that are expected at each stage, and ways that adults can help.

Ages and stages | Parent Help