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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/assessment-and-planning/assessments/intake-and-early-assessment/seeking-consent-to-talk-to-tamariki-and-rangatahi/
Printed: 04/11/2024
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Last updated: 02/02/2021

Seeking consent to talk to tamariki and rangatahi

Wherever practicable, we seek consent from a parent or guardian when we need to talk directly with tamariki or rangatahi aged under 18 years old.

Upcoming changes for this guidance

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 guidance. The following resources provide support:
Practice for working effectively with Māori
Our practice approach

Importance of safety, wellbeing and relationships

For each interaction with tamariki and rangatahi, we need to consider how that interaction will:

  • support their best interests
  • support safety and wellbeing
  • uphold mana by recognising the right of te tamaiti or rangatahi to participate
  • recognise and strengthen whakapapa and whanaungatanga relationships between te tamaiti or rangatahi and their siblings, whānau or family and community, which is critical for their ongoing wellbeing, connection and belonging.

Parents as guardians have ultimate responsibility for the care, safety and wellbeing of their tamariki and rangatahi, which includes who has access to talk to them. By seeking consent from a parent or guardian, we demonstrate in practice how we are working in partnership with them. It also means they might not agree.

There are 3 key purposes for our first meeting with a parent or guardian:

  1. To inform the parent or guardian about the concerns raised.
  2. To begin our assessment about the concerns raised.
  3. To seek agreement to talk directly to their tamariki or rangatahi.