Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/interventions/
Printed: 02/10/2023
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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.

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.

Giving evidence in 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.

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).

Youth Court

Traffic offences in Youth Court jurisdiction

All traffic offences that are not infringement offences are included in the Youth Court jurisdiction. Family group conferences are convened as required for these traffic offences.

14-day 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 placement option where appropriate.

Detaining 17-year-old rangatahi in a youth unit of a prison

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 wellbeing of rangatahi while in police custody.

Additional factors to be considered by Youth Court when making an order under section 283(o) – section 284(1A)

Section 284(1) lists the factors that the Youth Court must consider when making certain orders under section 283. Section 284(1A) requires additional factors to be considered if the order is under section 283(o).

Cancellation of a section 311 order – section 316(1A)

The chief executive (or their delegate) may make an application to the Youth Court to cancel a supervision with residence order made under section 311 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 placing a rangatahi aged 17 years in the custody of the chief executive.

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.

Partnered response

A partnered response is an early intervention for tamariki and whānau or family who have support needs that don't present a risk of serious harm for te tamaiti, and so don't need a statutory Oranga Tamariki response.

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.

Talking to tamariki, whānau or family and caregivers about the COVID-19 vaccine

This guidance supports kaimahi who work directly with tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau or family and caregivers to help them to have conversations about vaccination against COVID-19. It also includes the consent process.

Measles and immunisation

We modify our usual social work practice approach in the context of a measles outbreak to prevent the transmission of the measles virus.

New content still to come

This section of content has not been rewritten yet and can be found on the previous Practice Centre:

Youth Court

Youth justice pathways

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