Guidance
Care and protection family group conference
A care and protection family group conference supports whānau or family to come together when there are worries about the way a tamaiti or rangatahi is cared for and develop a plan to address concerns or needs for assistance for te tamaiti or rangatahi.Upcoming changes for this guidance
What is a care and protection family group conference
A care and protection family group conference is a formal meeting where Oranga Tamariki and the extended whānau or family of te tamaiti or rangatahi work together to develop a plan to address any care and protection concerns, needs or wellbeing issues relating to te tamaiti or rangatahi.
Te tamaiti or rangatahi should also take part in the conference unless:
- it would not be in their interests
- it would, for some other reason, be undesirable
- they would be unable (because of age or maturity) to understand the purpose and process of the conference.
The coordinator is responsible for determining whether they should attend.
Who does it
A care and protection coordinator has the statutory responsibility for managing the convening and preparation of the conference. This includes:
- helping te tamaiti, rangatahi and whānau or family to understand the process and participate in planning the conference
- ensuring whānau or family understand the pathways available for them to formulate a plan
- organising when and where it will be held
- facilitating the conference itself
- recording the outcome of the conference
- distributing the written record of the plan
- ensuring the plan is reviewed as required.
When to use it
A care and protection family group conference is usually held because someone has formed a belief that te tamaiti or rangatahi is in need of care or protection.
The criteria that must be used when forming a belief are listed in section 14(1) of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.
A care and protection family group conference can also be held to:
- review progress and completion of a family group conference plan
- review and reconsider a plan that is no longer meeting the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
- review and confirm a plan for leaving care if the rangatahi is in the care of Oranga Tamariki because of a Family Court order or an extended care agreement
- reconvene and complete a plan, when previously agreement could not be reached
- review a court plan.
Policy: Transition to adulthood — Preparation, assessment and planning
How to do it
1 Referral to coordinator
There are a number of ways in which a care and protection family group conference can be referred to a care and protection coordinator.
The most common is by a social worker where, after an investigation into reported concerns for te tamaiti or rangatahi, they believe te tamaiti or rangatahi is in need of care or protection as defined by section 14(1) of the Oranga Tamariki Act. They must then make a referral to a care and protection coordinator under section 18(1) for a family group conference to be convened under section 20.
The Police may also refer to a care and protection coordinator under section 18(1) where they believe te tamaiti or rangatahi is in need of care or protection. The Family Court and Youth Court may also direct a coordinator to convene a conference.
When the care and protection coordinator receives the referral from a social worker or the Police, or under certain court directions, they must convene a family group conference.
Social worker referral for a care and protection family group conference
Referral under section 19
Referrals can also be made by the Police, a court or another organisation concerned with the wellbeing of a tamaiti or rangatahi, and who believes they are in need of care or protection (including government organisations).
This is not a direction for a family group conference but it does require the care and protection coordinator to carefully consider whether it is necessary to convene a family group conference.
Practice note: section 19 referrals from a court to a care and protection coordinator
2 Prepare for the family group conference
The care and protection coordinator is responsible for convening (preparing) the conference. They focus on:
- preparing te tamaiti or rangatahi and the whānau or family for the conference, and discussing with them the best time, date and place for the conference, other people they want invited and what procedures, protocols or other specific requests they may have for the conference
- making sure all the relevant information will be available at the conference so it can make informed decisions
- ensuring the whānau or family understands the pathways available to them for creating a plan
- making sure the appropriate people are invited or can contribute to the conference in another way — this includes whānau or family members, professionals and information givers. This includes considering whether appropriate members of hapū and iwi may attend in accordance with the wishes of the whānau, including as information givers.
Preparing for the care and protection family group conference
3 Hold the family group conference
The care and protection coordinator:
- makes sure the family group conference runs smoothly
- makes sure participants have an opportunity to share their views and concerns and are listened to in a safe environment
- makes sure the whānau or family has time to talk privately about family-led solutions to address needs, strengths and risks
- supports the family group conference to develop a plan for te tamaiti or rangatahi – this plan is either to address care and protection concerns or to provide assistance or both
- gets agreement to the plan from entitled members participating in the conference.
4 Distribute, monitor and review the plan
The care and protection coordinator:
- writes up the family group conference plan and seeks agreement to it from the referrer, and anyone directly involved in implementation
- sends a copy to the people entitled to receive it
- organises the review of the plan.
The social worker actively monitors the plan before the review.
Review of the care and protection family group conference plan