Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/assessment-and-planning
Printed: 28/06/2026
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Assessment and planning

For each tamaiti we're working with, we must have a written assessment describing their needs, strengths and risks, and a plan for how we'll address those needs.

Assessments

Conducting an assessment

Assessment is an ongoing process of gathering information to build and deepen understanding, requiring critical thinking and analysis. We articulate our understanding in the assessment report.

Intake and early assessment

Assessment is an ongoing process of building understanding to inform whānau or family and professional decision-making. Following a report of concern, we build and deepen understanding across 3 phases, as needed – initial, core and full assessment.

Specialist topics

We need to be able to recognise different oranga concerns and decide how we can best work with te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family to support them.

Planning

SMART planning

Good planning should follow the SMART principles: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timeframed.

Responding to non-accidental injuries – multi-agency safety planning

We work collaboratively with professionals and whānau or family to secure the safety of tamariki with a suspected non-accidental injury.

Protect and support the development of tamariki and rangatahi within healthy whānau and families

We aim to build safety through relational, inclusive and restorative practice with whānau and families, and developing a plan that supports oranga and activates resources to keep tamariki and rangatahi safe.

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