Guidance
Conducting an assessment
We plan the assessment and then gather and analyse information, which we summarise using the Tuituia assessment report.Upcoming changes for this guidance
What is assessment
We use the assessment process to:
- assess the safety of te tamaiti
- identify strengths in te tamaiti, their parents and whānau or family and environment
- identify needs that aren't being met
- identify services that could address these needs.
When an assessment is required
Assessments are required when we first begin working with te tamaiti and at various points thereafter.
Conducting an assessment
Below is the general process for all assessment work.
1 Plan the assessment
Before we begin any assessment, we should:
- outline the purpose of the assessment
- agree the Tuituia domain areas to be explored and to what depth
- decide how and from whom the information will be gathered
- research the whānau or family history — their whakapapa (significant people, places and cultural values) and their history with Oranga Tamariki.
The Tuituia framework and domains
All assessment activity must be guided by the Tuituia assessment framework.
2 Gather information
We must gather information from a wide range of sources — te tamaiti, whānau, wider family, teachers, hospital staff, and others, and CYRAS records.
We must:
- have direct contact with tamariki, their parents/caregivers, significant whānau or family members and other professionals working with them and their whānau or family
- give tamariki reasonable opportunities to freely express their views and be supported if they have difficulty in doing so.
3 Analyse the information
Once you've gathered your information, use your professional judgement to analyse the picture that has formed.
Consider:
Definitions of abuse, neglect and harm
Tool: Child/young person and family consult
The consult can be used during the assessment to inform the analysis and next steps.
4 Record your analysis
We must:
- record the views of te tamaiti in the "child or young person's views" section of the Tuituia recording tool
- use the Tuituia recording tool to record the analysis of the needs, strengths and risks for te tamaiti and their parents/caregivers.
Tool: The Tuituia recording tool
The Tuituia recording tool is where you document the information you've gathered in the course of your assessment and record your analysis.
5 Write your report
Once you've gathered and analysed all your information, you'll complete a written summary of your assessment using the Tuituia assessment report. This will feed into making a recommendation for te tamaiti.
The Tuituia assessment report must:
- see the needs of te tamaiti in a holistic way with a focus on long-term outcomes
- clearly articulate the risks and strengths of te tamaiti, their whānau and caregivers
- clearly identify what needs to change for te tamaiti or show what's working for them.
If possible, you should share both your Tuituia report and recommendations with the whānau or family — they have a right to know what you think and how you came to a particular conclusion or finding. Include their responses in your report.
Your completed Tuituia report must be approved by your supervisor.
Tool: The Tuituia report
The Tuituia report is the written record of an assessment.