Assessment report

This section records key demographics. It identifies who the report is about and relationships that are important to them.

Check prepopulated information for each tamaiti or rangatahi for accuracy, update the demographic tab if required, and gather any information that is not complete. Enter the non-populated information including the Rā / Date field where we enter the dates of engagements with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family.

If the tamariki have not been identified (or te tamaiti is not yet born), we add information known about specific needs. It is important that this section is completed.

This section details the demographic information for the caregiver or adoptive applicants and their whānau or family.

What is the purpose of this report?

Set out why this report is being written now. For example:

• 'This report is the social work assessment that explains why a family group conference is required and it is also the referral for family group conference.'
• 'This report is the social work assessment for [rangatahi] with offending behaviour and their whānau, which supports the plan that reduces the likelihood of offending or reoffending.'
• 'This report is the social work assessment that includes a current needs assessment to inform the All About Me plan for [te tamaiti] who is currently in care.'
• 'This report is the social work assessment following a report of concern for te tamaiti or rangatahi in care.'
• 'This report is the social work assessment outlining [type of caregiver application and type of care being provided] following a caregiver application for [caregiver name].'

Caregiver Recruitment and Support

Consider what types of care we are assessing this caregiver to provide, or what the assessment is for.

Adoption Service

Set out why this report is being written now. For example:

• ‘This report is the social work assessment and recommendation of the adoptive applicants for an unknown child.’
• ‘This report is the social work assessment and recommendation of the adoptive applicants for [tamaiti or rangatahi name if known].’
• ‘This report summarises the social work assessment that informs the ministry’s interim recommendation in relation to the adoptive applicants’ request for Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART) approval.’

Consider what types of care we are assessing – for example, non-relative adoption, stepparent adoption, relative adoption (Domestic Adoption New Zealand), relative intercountry adoption, gestational surrogacy (New Zealand), traditional surrogacy (New Zealand), embryo donation surrogacy (New Zealand), or international surrogacy. 

Why is Oranga Tamariki currently involved?

Briefly explain why Oranga Tamariki is currently involved. This may include any current legal status and any risk statements and safety goals that have been developed. For the Adoption Service, this includes any current court application.

For Caregiver Recruitment and Support or the Adoption Service, for example, start with ‘We have had an application to adopt a child / to be a caregiver…’ 

Who has been involved in this assessment?

List all people we have engaged with to build and deepen our understanding. Include:

• their relationship with te tamaiti or rangatahi
• their role alongside whānau or family
• the hāpori or organisation they represent
• referee checks for caregiver and adoptive applicants.

Ensure that these participants are correctly recorded in CYRAS.

Summarise the current situation (for example, regarding harm or offending behaviour) or other circumstances that have prompted this report (for example, a family group conference or court plan review, or unexpected change in care arrangement).

If this is the first assessment for te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, we need to include:

• the referral or concerns reported
• the context in which they have occurred
• how they have been raised.

If this assessment relates to tamariki or rangatahi in our care or custody (including residential and community placements), we outline:

• the reasons why they remain in care
• any incidences of harm occurring in care
• their care goal.

If this assessment relates to a caregiver application, we outline:

• how the applicants were identified – for example, from a provisional approval, a web enquiry or a result of a family group conference or whānau hui
• Oranga Tamariki involvement and any history we may have on record
• the background of the identified tamaiti or rangatahi and their care needs
• what the motivation is for the caregiver assessment.

If this assessment relates to an adoption application, we outline:

• what we already know about the whānau or family
• what the motivation is for this adoption application and how this proposal come about
• our understanding of the current situation and rationale for application
• what the chronology has shown in terms of patterns and significant events
• issues identified from documentary checks, including prior Oranga Tamariki involvement, and court affidavits
• the identified needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• how te tamaiti or rangatahi and whanau or family view the adoption application (if applicable).

In this section, we explain what we know so far from working with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family and others.

We provide background about what we have learnt from te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, who they are, whānau and cultural norms, their values and how their lived experiences have influenced and shaped their lives and oranga.

We write with an awareness of how tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family and caregiving whānau or adoptive applicants will see themselves reflected in this report. Is it tika? Is it factual? Is it clear? Has the mana of their narrative been respected?

We consider: 

• the background and individual needs, including disability, of each tamaiti or rangatahi and sibling group
• how they define themselves, how they express identity, including their gender identity and sexuality, pronouns and preferred name
• the history and context in which harm or offending behaviour has occurred
• the ebbs and flows of whānau or family oranga over time
• migration stories
• any patterns or cumulative impacts of harm or offending behaviour
• any intergenerational and/or trauma history and the impact of this on the current generation – this includes the experiences of state interventions and actions
• any offending behaviour of siblings, whānau and families and the impact of this on victims and communities.

For Caregiver Recruitment and Support, we also consider:

• providing a snapshot of who the caregiver is and their motivation for providing care
• how te tamaiti or rangatahi views the care option (if known)
• family dynamics, resilience, support and understanding of trauma
• preferences for type of placement (such as short or long term, respite)
• connection with te tamaiti or rangatahi if they are whānau caregivers
• caregiver’s history, supports, relationships, oranga and general health
• any CYRAS history, medical information and police check information
• the views and reflections of the caregiver’s tamariki or rangatahi (and anyone else who resides in the home – including those who don’t require checks)
• information on other people who live in the home who require checks.

For the Adoption Service, we consider:

• the background and individual, specific needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi this application relates to
• the background and individual needs of each tamaiti within sibling groups
• how te tamaiti or rangatahi views the adoption application and their awareness or understanding of the impacts (if known)
• the views and reflections of any tamariki currently living in the home and others residing there
• the ebbs and flows of whānau or family oranga over time, including family dynamics, resilience and support (chronology is helpful here)
• any patterns or cumulative impacts, especially regarding harm or offending behaviour
• the intergenerational history and the impact of this on the current generation
• the applicants’ learning and reflection on adoption-specific research and knowledge
• information about other people who live in the home who require checks.

In this section, we include reports we have received and information we have gathered and from whom, and what this tells us about te tamaiti or rangatahi and whānau, family, caregivers, adoptive applicants, or victims and their situation. 

We need to summarise:

• what we have learned, and from whom and how this has helped build our understanding of the current situation – include details from tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family, caregiving whānau and others, phone conversations, home visits, professionals’ hui, hui ā-whānau and other interactions, CYRAS history 
• the ways we have built and deepened our understanding with tamariki and rangatahi and included them in planning and decision-making
• which models, tools and resources we used, and the meaning we derived from them (for example, our practice models Te Toka Tūmoana and Va’aifetū)
• any relevant policy requirements or practice guidance specific to our work (for example, static and dynamic risk factors, return home requirements, recording requirements when we have made a finding of abuse or neglect)
• the application of our practice standards in our work with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family, caregiving whānau and others
• how we are addressing the care regulations for the needs assessment for tamariki and rangatahi in care, and caregiver assessment and support needs – specifically, this should include:
  • general support
  • support to promote important connections
  • support to promote culture, belonging and identity
  • support to promote play, recreation and community connection
  • support to address health needs
  • support to address education needs
  • support to raise complaints and provide feedback
  • support to record important life events and care for belongings of significance
  • support for transitions between care arrangements.

For Caregiver Recruitment and Support we also consider:

• a summary and insights of suitability checks – including any concerns and special considerations
• information gained through consults with colleagues and other professionals, referees and home visits
• the insights and views of the caregiver as well as te tamaiti or rangatahi
• the approach taken for the assessment – for example, the 6 core needs understood through Te Puna Oranga, practice models Te Toka Tūmoana and Va’aifetū, and the social work research and theories that contributed to our building and deepening of understanding.

Te Puna Oranga dimensions and the 6 core needs – Caregiver Recruitment and Support  

This table is indicative, as the 6 core needs weave through all the dimensions of Te Puna.

For the Adoption Service, we also consider:

• our approach with tamariki and how we sought to understand, engage, educate and communicate in ways that are appropriate to their age and developmental stage
• reference to specific tools and resources used that relate to raising te tamaiti by adoption, including addressing any identity issues, understanding of loss and how they make sense of lived experience
• using tools and resources such as exploring parenting capacity, whanaungatanga agreement, exploring oranga and the life story book resource, Erikson's Chronological Tool
• a summary and insights of suitability checks – including any concerns and special considerations
• information gained through consults with colleagues and other professionals, referees and home visits
• the insights and views of the adoptive applicant as well as te tamaiti or rangatahi
• the approach taken for the assessment – for example, the 6 core needs understood through Te Puna Oranga, practice models Te Toka Tūmoana and Va’aifetū, and the social work research and theories that contributed to our building and deepening of understanding.

Te Puna Oranga dimensions and the 6 core needs – Adoption Service   

This table is indicative, as the 6 core needs weave through all the dimensions of Te Puna.

Practice standards

Care standards

Underlying causes of offending behaviour - dynamic and static risk factors

Oranga-framed practice prompts

Seven core issues in adoption and permanency | Families Rising

Our analysis of the information is explained here, and we clearly articulate our social work reasoning and the conclusions drawn.

When completing the analysis, consider:

• how the unique needs of each tamaiti or rangatahi are (or are not) being met by their whānau or family or caregiving whānau
• the changes we have noticed, and that whānau or family describe, both recently and over time
• how harm, risk of harm, and safety have changed over time – what may still need to change and how this can be supported
• how the strengths, capacity and potential of the whānau, family or caregiving whānau can be harnessed in the pursuit of oranga.

For youth justice, we also consider:

• the victim impacts of offending behaviours of tamariki or rangatahi, including understanding harm and risk of harm to themselves and whānau or family
• how tamariki and rangatahi and whānau or family understand the impact for victims
• the underlying reasons for the offending behaviours and how this informs plans or sentencing recommendations
• what we understand about the views of the whānau or family and responses to harm or risk of harm to te tamaiti or rangatahi, and to any offending behaviours
• how the knowledge of our community partners, victims and other professional disciplines contributes to our understanding
• the need to balance wellbeing with victims’ interests, accountability and public safety.

Youth justice – links

For Caregiver Recruitment and Support, we also consider:

• our analysis using Te Puna Oranga and/or the 6 core needs
• reference to any special considerations that are required and how this impacts the assessment of the prospective caregivers
• a safety and risk analysis of the care option
• any issues arising from discussions about areas such as safe sleeping or the smoking policy.

We still need to complete a separate special consideration.

See current policy settings.

For the Adoption Service, we also consider:

• the unique needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi journey over the lifespan
• analysis using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRoC), the Verona principles of surrogacy and the Adoptions Act 1955
• the 6 core needs of adopted tamariki or rangatahi, and the applicant's ability to meet those needs – consider whether there are any limitations to them meeting those needs
• how the family practices and tikanga of the applicants contribute to their views and thoughts about adoption
• how the strengths, capacity and potential of the whānau, family or prospective adoptive whānau or family might be harnessed in the pursuit of oranga
• how the applicants’ understanding of adoption has changed over time, what still needs to change, and how this change can be supported
• the applicants’ response to Adoption in Aotearoa training
• what we understand about the views and responses of the whānau or family about the impact of adoption for themselves and the adopted person
• how the knowledge of our community partners, those with lived experience and other professional disciplines contribute to our understanding
• the lifelong implications for the adopted person and their whānau or family system:
  • Has harm or risk of harm been identified for this adoptive whānau or family, and how may this have changed over time?
  • How has this been mitigated? If change is needed, how will this be supported?
• what the adoptive whānau or family needs to support the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi that will be addressed through a support plan
• the most appropriate legal option available to address the long-term best interests of te tamaiti when there is a court application.

We need to complete a special considerations document and refer to it here.

Caregiver and adoptive applicant assessment and approval

Caregiver and adoption assessment framework

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child | United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner

Adoption Act 1955

Verona Principles – Principles for the protection of the rights of the child born through surrogacy | Better Care Network (PDF 544 KB)

We then clearly articulate the findings, recommendations and rationale, followed by the outcome of our assessment mahi and the pathway forward.

We need to show a clear rationale to justify our findings, decisions and recommendations. For example:

• for child and family assessments or investigations, confirm any findings of abuse aligned with current policy and connected to the reason for our current involvement
• for assessing the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in care, identify the needs that require further support and planning
• for tamariki with offending behaviours, state how offending needs should be met and how any underlying care or protection issues should be addressed
• for youth justice assessments, articulate the recommended level and intensity of intervention required to meet the offending needs and how any underlying care or protection issues or oranga needs should be addressed
• for Caregiver Recruitment and Support, articulate the recommendation and rationale – this would include:
  • supports or other resourcing that might be needed in the caregiver support plan to ensure the placement is safe and successful, including any safety planning
  • the type of care they are approved for
• for the Adoption Service, we make a clear recommendation about:
  • the suitability and eligibility of the applicants, and their ability to meet the criteria set out in section 11 of the Adoption Act, and the UNCRoC principles
  • the applicants’ ability to meet any specific needs of te tamaiti, including ethnicity, disability and age of te tamaiti.

We articulate the outcome of our assessment and what we, whānau or family, caregiving whānau, adoptive applicants and others hope to achieve and what needs to happen next. 

Include the views of tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, family, caregiving whānau, adoptive applicants and others about the assessment outcome, including where there is disagreement about the assessment and outcome. 

This section should capture the requirements of a family group conference referral if that is the outcome pathway.

If Family Court or Youth Court and/or custody order applications have been made, we should state the outcome of those applications in this section.