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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/care/
Printed: 06/12/2024
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Care

Care standards

Caregivers

Assessing and approving caregivers and adoptive parents

We need to build engagement and trust with people wanting to care for tamariki and support them through assessment and approval.

Support for caregivers

It's important that our caregivers are valued and supported so they can provide the best possible care for tamariki.

Reviewing caregivers

All our caregivers (including section 396 provider caregivers) must have a regular review of their approval status and support needs.

Allegations of harm to tamariki by caregivers

The safety and oranga of te tamaiti is our first concern when an allegation of harm is made against a caregiver or there are concerns for oranga. We are respectful, fair, transparent and sensitive to caregivers’ needs during the assessment/investigation.

Caring for tamariki in care

All About Me plan to meet the needs of tamariki and rangatahi

The All About Me plan is designed to enable us to support and respond to the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in the custody or care of the chief executive in line with the National Care Standards.

Tamariki All About Me plan — child-friendly version

The Tamariki All About Me Plan describes how the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in care will be supported, as set out in the All About Me Plan, in a form appropriate to te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Visits with tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

We need to visit tamariki and rangatahi as often as they need us to so they can participate and influence decisions about their safety, care and wellbeing needs.

Supporting tamariki and rangatahi with their health needs

Good health is essential to wellbeing and positive life outcomes. We need to support tamariki and rangatahi to access health services, both to maintain their good health and to meet any health and disability needs.

Supporting tamariki with their education and training needs

We support tamariki to access education services both to maintain their learning and to meet their specific educational needs. Good education outcomes are essential to good life outcomes.

Support for play, recreation and community activities

We must ensure that support is provided to tamariki and rangatahi in care to meet their needs for play, recreation and participation in community activities, including supporting, and assisting caregivers to promote these activities.

Culture, belonging and identity

The oranga of tamariki is supported when they have a strong sense of culture, including ethnicity, sexuality, gender (including gender diversity), age, disability and faith, identity and belonging.

Supporting whānau connections

We need to support tamariki to establish, maintain and strengthen safe connections with their whānau or family (including siblings), hapū, iwi, marae and family group, and anyone else they or their whānau or family identify as important.

Maintaining a record of important life events

We have a significant role in supporting all tamariki across care or protection and youth justice so that important events in their life are collected, recorded, maintained and made available.

Explaining rights and entitlements to tamariki and rangatahi

Under the National Care Standards, every tamaiti and rangatahi is entitled to receive information about what they can expect when they are in care, and be supported to raise any concerns they have.

Right to personal belongings

Tamariki have a right to have their personal belongings with them. We need to ask them what personal belongings are special to them and make sure they remain in the possession of te tamaiti and are looked after.

How we work with tamariki and rangatahi who are missing or whose absence is unauthorised

There are triggers and risk factors that can signal that tamariki and rangatahi may be considering running away. This guidance may help us deal with this situation.

Breastfeeding – caring for and nurturing a pēpi

Breastfeeding connects pēpi and their mother spiritually and emotionally, as well as providing physical nourishment. We ensure breastfeeding and access to breast milk, and the physical connection of pēpi to their parents and whānau or family, is supported

Allegations of harm in care or custody

The safety and oranga (wellbeing) of te tamaiti or rangatahi in care or custody is our first concern when there are allegations of harm or concerns for oranga.

Finances and wills for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

Tamariki and rangatahi may have personal finances, which could include their pocket money, their earnings and any other income. There are several options to help them manage their finances – and to create a will – if they want to.

Care arrangements for tamariki and rangatahi

When tamariki and rangatahi can't live at home, we support their right to a safe and stable home, to feel connected to family, whānau, hapū, iwi and community and to know where they belong.

Housing support for whānau or family

Secure and stable housing helps whānau and families care for their tamariki and rangatahi and support oranga. We advocate for them and provide information about the Fast Track process when tamariki and rangatahi are in the custody of the chief executive.

Maintaining whānau or family relationships when te tamaiti or rangatahi is living away from home

We establish, maintain and strengthen relationships between tamariki, rangatahi and their family, whānau, hapū and iwi when they are living away from home. For court-directed contact, we provide robust information to guide decision-making.

Transitioning between placements or out of care

When tamariki and rangatahi move between care arrangements

We support te tamaiti or rangatahi effectively as they enter care, move to live with a new caregiver, move into or out of a residence, return home or live permanently with a new whānau or family.

Use of legal orders to support a safe, stable and loving home for tamariki in permanent care

Legal orders for permanent care can support security and stability for tamariki who have been in our care or custody and their caregivers.

Support for permanent caregivers

The permanent caregiver support package provides permanent caregivers and tamariki with support after their care becomes permanent and custody orders in favour of the chief executive are discharged. We help plan the supports for permanent caregivers.

Ensuring a safe, stable and loving home when tamariki are living with non-whānau caregivers

The primary responsibility for caring for and nurturing tamariki lies with their family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group. If tamariki are in the care of non-whānau caregivers, our plans respond to their specific circumstances and care needs.

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