Te ao huri huri — Tuituia domain

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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
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What is the te ao huri huri domain

This domain explores:

• social and community relationships
• cultural connections
• networks of support
• community resources.

We also need to consider the following domains:

• culture and identity
• learning and achieving
• behaviour
• safety
• friendships.

In completing the assessment of social and community needs for te tamaiti or rangatahi it is important to:

• seek the views of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family
• engage with the school, health professionals or other professionals involved with te tamaiti or rangatahi to seek their views and identify opportunities to work together, especially if te tamaiti or rangatahi is in care
• review any specialist assessments including gateway or youth justice screening assessments that have been completed or ensure these are undertaken if required
• consider how the cultural perspectives of the whānau or family may influence the experience of te tamaiti or rangatahi and seek cultural support if required
• seek the views of the caregiver if te tamaiti or rangatahi is in care
• consider the relevant Tuituia domains to draw together your assessment.

Gateway assessments

The education screen

Te tamaiti or rangatahi in care

This domain will assist you to assess the play, recreation and community section of the National Care Standards. The standards emphasise the participation of te tamaiti or rangatahi and the need for financial support to enable attendance and participation.

Activities include cultural activities in the broader cultural context of support groups and resources available in the whole community for te tamaiti or rangatahi to have access to a wide and variable range of experiences.

Te tamaiti or rangatahi needs access to a range of age-appropriate books, toys and recreational equipment

• to be able to establish and maintain peer and community relationships
• to be able to attend and participate in sporting or cultural activities
• to be able to be involved in community and volunteering activities
• to have play and experiences
• to have pocket money
• to have the financial support required to participate.

Oranga Tamariki (National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018

Care partners (s396 providers) and their caregivers: Assessing play, recreation and community needs

When a tamaiti or rangatahi is placed with care partners and their caregivers, the allocated social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi, in the same way that they work with an Oranga Tamariki caregiver, will work closely with the care partner and their caregiver to:

• assess the play, recreation and community needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• agree on and document in the All About Me plan the play, recreation and community support required (including who will undertake the agreed actions).

Subdomain: Social and community relationships

You will need to consider this subdomain from two Tuituia dimensions:

• mokopuna ora
• kaitiaki mokopuna.

Consider this Tuituia domain alongside the family, whānau, hapū and iwi subdomain, the culture and indentity domain and the friendships domain.

Identity and culture — Tuituia domain

Family, whānau, hapū and iwi— subdomain

Friendships — Tuituia domain

• Healthy relationships with family and friends are important for tamariki and rangatahi but relationships within the community are also important. Community includes the neighbourhood, school, afterschool groups, other clubs, cultural and faith-based groups.
• For tamariki and rangatahi, belonging to a community plays an important role in the development of their feelings of belonging and security, their sense of self and their identity as a person. A community that is built around a shared interest, culture, identity, sport or other activity plays an important role in the development of knowing who they are and how they can contribute to society.
• Shared interests assist with the social-emotional development of te tamaiti or rangatahi and enhances their ability to have successful school and life outcomes.
• Tamariki and rangatahi thrive in an environment of mutually supportive and caring relationships. As te tamaiti or rangatahi grows and develops, connections to the outside world help them to find their place in the world, develop understandings of how society works and recognise and understand the shared values that underpin society and encourage a sense of belonging and connection.
• Community resources for recreational activities allow for a range of other adults to provide leadership, guidance and support and encourage te tamaiti or rangatahi to build their sense of self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities.

Assessment prompts

• What does te tamaiti or rangatahi enjoy taking part in? Even as pre-schoolers tamariki will have preferences in their play that can be encouraged and built on.
• What talents and abilities that te tamaiti enjoys can be identified and encouraged as te tamaiti grows and develops? Not everyone is good at sport or a talented singer but enjoyment and involvement in an activity or hobby can give satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
• If te tamaiti or rangatahi has a specific talent support and encourage them to identify their hopes and dreams for the future and to achieve goals that includes the opportunity to travel if required.
• What social networks are available in the neighbourhood and community that te tamaiti or rangatahi, their whānau or family and/or caregivers live in?
• How active is te tamaiti or rangatahi, their whānau and/or caregivers in local networks and their local marae? What is their level of connectedness to whānau and their responsibility to whanaungatanga connections?
• To what extent do these networks reinforce positive parenting, positive relationships and activities that are helpful and supportive?

Be aware that taking part in activities is required under specific National Care Standards regulations and must be linked to the support provided in the All About Me plan.

Descriptors: social and community relationships

Mokopuna Ora perspective

10 — Active within their local community, has strong positive social networks and is involved in a range of social, community, recreational activities either as an individual or in association with parents and whānau or family. Has an adult with whom they can confide, who supports or mentors them and is a positive role model.

5 — Is developing some social networks and/or involvement in their community either as an individual or in association with parents/caregivers.

1 — Socially isolated either by own or whānau or family choices or other circumstances outside of their control. Social networks reinforce concerning behaviours or offending. Community relationships do not exist or are a source of danger and harm to the overall wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Kaitiaki Mokopuna perspective

10 — Active and respected within local community. Has a strong positive social network which provides positive pro-social role models for te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

5 — Has formed/is beginning to form a variety of positive and supportive relationships, but requires encouragement to sustain them.

1 — Socially isolated either by own choices or other circumstances outside of their control. Social networks reinforce concerning behaviour or offending. Community relationships do not exist or are a source of danger and harm to the wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

Subdomain: Cultural connections

You will need to consider this subdomain from two Tuituia dimensions:

• mokopuna ora
• kaitiaki mokopuna.

Consider this Tuituia domain alongside the family, whānau, hapū and iwi subdomain and the friendships domain.

Family, whānau, hapū and iwi — Tuituia subdomain

Friendships — Tuituia domain

As te tamaiti enters their teenage years and prepares for adulthood it's important for them to develop these connections for themselves.

Remember that the narrative entered in the Kaitiaki Mokopuna assessment comes into the ‘Cultural considerations’ section of the Tuituia report. Ensure what you record here will make sense in the context of that report.

Identity and culture — Tuituia domain

Cultural connectedness provides support and networks that can enhance self-esteem and counter the negative effects of trauma and harm.

Your assessment of these domains will inform the All About Me plan.

Policy: All About Me plan

Assessment prompts

• What cultural/faith-based support and groups are available to te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family within their neighbourhood and community?
• Does the whānau or family see involvement as important and encourage te tamaiti or rangatahi to participate? If not why not?

Descriptors: cultural connections

Mokopuna Ora perspective

10 — Well connected to the people, groups and places that provide an anchor for the cultural and/or faith-based values of te tamaiti or rangatahi. These promote pro-social values and provide positive role models for them.

5 — Connections are being formed but are not yet fully established or current connections provide limited positive support.

1 — Isolated from cultural or faith-based supports. Actively shuts themselves off, or does not know about the supports available. Supports are available but does not feel comfortable accessing them.

Kaitiaki Mokopuna perspective

10 — Well supported by people, groups and places that support their cultural and/or faith-based values and beliefs. These actively promote and support positive parenting and whānau or family wellbeing.

5 — Connections are being formed but not yet fully established or current connections provide limited positive support.

1 — Isolated from cultural or faith-based supports. Actively shuts themselves off or does not know about the supports available. Supports are available, but does not feel comfortable accessing them or they do not promote positive parenting and whānau or family wellbeing.

Subdomain: Community resources

Community resources are assets in a community that help meet certain needs for those around them. These resources can be essential in developing supports around te tamaiti or rangatahi and diversifying their range of outlets of support, expression and natural self-development.

• Sharing goodwill and creativity through volunteering and community service projects and helping others can be very fulfilling.
• There are lots of service projects available to rangatahi that can give a sense of participation and achievement.

Assessment prompts

• What community services, including education, health, marae and/or resources, are available to te tamaiti or rangatahi and whānau or family that they are engaged with?
• What are the barriers for te tamaiti or rangatahi and whānau or family accessing services, such as transport, language, health, literacy?

Descriptors: community resources

Mokopuna Ora perspective

10 — Full availability, access to and use of community services/resources. These might include sports clubs, recreational facilities, libraries, playgrounds, health, disability or social services.

5 — Some use of community services/resources but this is limited due to travel or financial costs. Limited age-appropriate services exist.

1 — Availability of and access to community services/resources is limited or not used.

Kaitiaki Mokopuna perspective

10 — Full availability, access to and use of community services/resources. These might include sports clubs, recreational facilities, libraries, playgrounds, health, disability or social services.

5 — Some use of community services/resources but this is limited due to travel or financial costs. Limited age-appropriate services exist.

1 — Availability of and access to community services/resources is limited or not used.

Subdomain: Networks of support

You will need to consider this subdomain from two Tuituia dimensions:

• mokopuna ora
• kaitiaki mokopuna.

Consider this Tuituia domain alongside the family, whanau, hapu and iwi subdomain and the friendships domain.

Family, whanau, hapu and iwi — Tuituia subdomain

Friendships — Tuituia domain

This subdomain explores social and community relationships, cultural connections and community resources that are available to and used by te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family.

Other relevant domains are:

• family, whanau, hapū and iwi
• culture and identity
• attachments
• resources available.

Support for culture, belonging, and identity — section 32 National Care Standards 2018 

Assessment prompts

• Does te tamaiti or rangatahi understand and know where they fit in their wider family, whānau, hapū, iwi and marae?
• Do they know their whakapapa and whanungatanga connections or do they need support to actively create these networks? Who can provide this?
• Do they have a sense of belonging to people and places?
• What are the barriers to access?
• Do tamariki and rangatahi from other cultures have access to their cultural networks?

Descriptors: networks of support

Mokopuna Ora perspective 

10 — Active within their local community, has strong positive social networks and is involved in a range of social, community, recreational activities either as an individual or in association with parents/caregivers. Has an adult with whom they can confide, who supports or mentors them and is a positive role model.

5 — Is developing some social networks and/or involvement in their community either as an individual or in association with parents/caregivers.

1 — Socially isolated either by own or whānau or family choices or other circumstances outside of their control. Social networks reinforce concerning behaviours or offending. Community relationships do not exist or are a source of danger and harm to the overall wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Kaitiaki Mokopuna perspective

10 — Active and respected within local community. Has a strong positive social network which provides positive pro-social role models for te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

5 — Has formed/is beginning to form a variety of positive and supportive relationships, but requires encouragement to sustain them.

1 — Socially isolated either by own choices or other circumstances outside of their control. Social networks reinforce concerning behaviour or offending. Community relationships do not exist or are a source of danger and harm to the wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

Subdomain: Resources available

Explores resources available to meet basic needs through the housing, and financial and employment situation of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family.

Housing, financial and employment

Assessment prompts

• What is the housing stability of the whānau or family — do they have temporary or permanent housing?
• Is the whānau or family receiving housing/accommodation support?
• What is the standard of housing the whānau or family is living in — amenities/furniture, insulation/ventilation/heating, and maintenance /safety?
• What are the living conditions of the whānau or family — sanitation/hygiene, household crowding/sleeping and living space?
• Is the section or garden safe for playing?
• Is the neighbourhood safe – are there parks and play areas?
• What is the impact of the housing standard/living conditions on the health and wellbeing of the whānau or family?
• Does the whānau or family have significant debt and/or financial pressure?
• Are they on a benefit and receiving all the extra assistance they are eligible for?
• If the parent/s or caregivers are in employment are they eligible for extra assistance or do they need budgeting assistance.

Descriptors: resources available

10 — Housing meets the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

5 — Housing is sometimes an issue and has some impact on their capacity to focus on positive parenting and meet the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi in their care.

1 — Overcrowding or substandard and unsafe housing. Homeless. Whānau or family is experiencing health-related conditions associated with poor housing.