Last updated: 01/04/2019

Practice tool

Practice triggers

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

Upcoming changes for this content

This content will be strengthened so it more completely reflects our commitment to practice framed by te Tiriti o Waitangi, based on a mana-enhancing paradigm for practice, and drawing from Te Ao Māori principles of oranga to support mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga. We each need to consider how we can apply these principles to our practice when reading this content. The following resources provide support:
Practice for working effectively with Māori
Our practice approach

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 affected by family violence
disabled tamariki.

How to use them

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

as part of case supervision
during case consults
when completing a Tuituia assessment
when you're planning for a home visit, or debriefing afterwards.

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 focusing on the safety and wellbeing 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.

Given their vulnerability, is our assessment addressing safety and considering the wellbeing 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?
Are we ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the infant, when developing the next steps with the whānau or family?

Family violence practice triggers

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

When completing our assessment, how has our focus remained on te tamaiti and how they are being affected by the violence?
What have we done to help te tamaiti 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 emotional wellbeing of te tamaiti? How have we used our understanding to inform decision-making?
How have our assessments focused on the age and developmental stage of te tamaiti?
In our assessment of 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?
The nature, frequency and history of the violence inform our assessment. Focusing on the parents, caregivers and whānau or family, how have we understood this and what services have previously been provided to address the violence?

What does safety look like to this tamaiti and how have we used that in developing plans?
How are we ensuring te tamaiti is safe in all contact with their parents or caregivers?
How will te tamaiti 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:

What work have we undertaken to engage 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

Disability practice triggers

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

Services

Assess 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

Disabled tamariki can communicate – look for ways to seek their views.
Keep language straightforward and avoid jargon.
Speak directly to te tamaiti.
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