Support for caregivers

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

Financial support

All approved caregivers with tamariki in their care receive:

• the foster care allowance payment
• a 4-weekly clothing allowance
• a small cost payment
• pocket money, and a birthday and Christmas allowance for each tamaiti
• reimbursement for preapproved health, education and recreation costs.

Policy: Caregiver support — Financial support

Allowances to support tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody and their caregivers

Caregivers whose property is damaged by tamariki in their care may be compensated for the cost of the damage, if it's not covered by their insurance and meets our requirements.

Managing caregiver claims

Social worker support

Every caregiver has a caregiver social worker allocated to them to provide support, including:

• information
• advice and assistance
• knowledge and guidance
• access to training and skills development
• access to respite care.

Policy: Caregiver support — Social work support

Policy: Caregiver support — Caregiver support during investigations of allegations of abuse, neglect or harm of a tamaiti by a caregiver

Supporting training and professional development

We must encourage our caregivers to take part in learning and training opportunities, and support them to do so.

Policy: Caregiver support — Training for caregivers

Preparing to be a caregiver or adoptive parent

Permanent care support

We offer legal support for caregivers seeking custody or guardianship orders, and a separate support package is offered to all our permanent caregivers.

Policy: Caregiver support — Permanent care support

Support for permanent caregivers