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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/interventions
Printed: 29/10/2025
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Interventions

Family group conferencing

About family group conferencing

The family group conference brings together te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, professionals and others to find ways to support the oranga of te tamaiti or rangatahi and consider the interests and impact of any offending on the victim.

Confidentiality and the family group conference

A family group conference is a private and confidential meeting. All discussion and information shared during the conference is privileged.

Family group conferencing practice standards

These practice standards cover the key practice requirements for care and protection coordinators, youth justice coordinators and social workers to support high-quality family group conferencing.

Care and protection family group conference

The care and protection family group conference brings together te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, relevant professionals and others to find ways to support the oranga (wellbeing and safety) of te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Youth justice family group conference

Youth justice family group conferences are held when tamariki or rangatahi are alleged to have offended or once the charges have been proven. These are convened and facilitated by youth justice coordinators.

Family Court orders

Applying for care or protection orders

When we have determined that a care or protection order is necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of te tamaiti, we carefully consider their circumstances and consult with our supervisor and Legal Services to decide which application to make.

Types of court orders

We need to understand the rights, powers and responsibilities of the different court orders that place a tamaiti in the care or custody of the chief executive. Other orders can also be sought, for example support or services orders.

Giving evidence in Family Court and Youth Court

Practitioners sometimes need to give evidence in court on behalf of Oranga Tamariki. We need to understand the legal process and what is required of us.

Legal statuses for custody, guardianship or placement

The Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, Care of Children Act 2004, Adoption Act 1955 and Immigration Act 2009 have provisions for when Oranga Tamariki must approve the care arrangement for tamariki and rangatahi when they’re unable to live with their parents.

Information to the Family Court – section 131A

We provide brief written information about our involvement with the adults, tamariki and rangatahi named in a request from the Family Court under section 131A of the Care of Children Act 2004 (CoCA).

Tamariki with offending behaviours

When offending behaviours start in childhood, early interventions need to focus on the underlying care or protection concerns. We apply an oranga lens to help us understand the needs of the tamariki in the context of their whānau or family.

Tamariki and rangatahi with Family Court orders in place

When we're working with tamariki or rangatahi and their whānau or family, we need to be aware of any Family Court orders that are in place and understand what they mean.

Youth Court

Planning for the Youth Court Te Kōti Taiohi o Aotearoa

Early preparation, thorough planning and collaboration are vital in supporting tamariki and rangatahi who appear in the Youth Court, Te Kōti Rangatahi or the Pasifika Court. We also engage with victims to consider their views and keep them informed.

Working in the Youth Court Te Kōti Taiohi o Aotearoa

Tamariki and rangatahi charged with offences appear in the Youth Court, Te Kōti Rangatahi or the Pasifika Court. Te Kōti Rangatahi and the Pasifika Court work within the Youth Court legal structure and have culturally appropriate venues and processes.

Orders and monitoring for the Youth Court Te Kōti Taiohi o Aotearoa

We support and monitor tamariki and rangatahi subject to Youth Court orders for offences that have been proved or not denied. We work with whānau, family and other key people supporting them to comply with court orders by meeting their plan's objectives.

Giving evidence in Family Court and Youth Court

Practitioners sometimes need to give evidence in court on behalf of Oranga Tamariki. We need to understand the legal process and what is required of us.

Traffic offences in Youth Court jurisdiction

Traffic offences, excluding infringements, are included in the Youth Court jurisdiction. We balance the wellbeing and best interest of tamariki and rangatahi with the public interest, the interest of victims, and tamariki and rangatahi being accountable.

14-day remand reviews of tamariki and rangatahi detained in a residence (section 242(1A)) or Corrections youth unit (section 242(2B))

We monitor tamariki and rangatahi who are detained in an Oranga Tamariki residence or Corrections youth unit in a prison at least once every 14 days. We try to find a community-based or other less restrictive care arrangement where appropriate.

Detaining 17-year-old rangatahi in a youth unit of a prison (section 238(1)(f))

Oranga Tamariki and the Department of Corrections can make a joint application to the Youth Court to detain a 17-year-old rangatahi in a youth unit of a prison to ensure the safety of any rangatahi in Oranga Tamariki custody.

Supporting rangatahi in police custody under section 238(1)(e) before Youth Court hearing

A social worker is allocated to each rangatahi in police custody to undertake the requirements of the Youth Court review process under section 241(2) and to ensure we are monitoring the safety and oranga of rangatahi while in police custody.

Giving evidence in court

Being a witness at Coroners Court

It’s important we are prepared if we are called to be a witness in a coronial inquest. Legal Services and National Support Services are available to support throughout the process.

Giving evidence in Family Court and Youth Court

Practitioners sometimes need to give evidence in court on behalf of Oranga Tamariki. We need to understand the legal process and what is required of us.

Other interventions topics

Child Support, Unsupported Child's Benefit and Orphan's Benefit

We can help people caring for tamariki or rangatahi who are not in the custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive to apply for financial support through Child Support, the Unsupported Child’s Benefit and the Orphan's Benefit.

Support and assistance for tamariki and rangatahi not in need of care or protection

We can provide support and assistance to address risks or wellbeing concerns for a tamaiti or rangatahi even if they are not in need of care or protection.

Family/whānau agreement

A family/whānau agreement is an intervention that uses whānau or family strengths and resources to ensure the needs of te tamaiti are met while remaining in the care of their whānau or family.

Strengthening Families interagency meeting to support whānau or family

At a Strengthening Families coordination meeting, a whānau or family works in partnership with government and community agencies to identify what would help the whānau or family meet the needs of their tamariki and rangatahi.

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