Policy

Adoption – Working with expectant parents

What we must do when expectant parents are considering adoption.

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Adoption – Facilitating an adoption placement

This policy outlines the steps to facilitate an adoption within New Zealand when birthparents have decided to place their tamaiti permanently with Oranga Tamariki-approved adoptive applicants.

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Adoption – Intercountry adoption: adopting a tamaiti from overseas

This policy provides an overview of the intercountry adoption policy and process to adopt a tamaiti from overseas.

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Adoption – Responding to relative intercountry adoption proposals

Use this policy when whānau or family members want to adopt a tamaiti who is related to them from another country.

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All About Me plan

The All About Me plan addresses the needs identified through analysis of the Tuituia assessment. It has important information about each tamaiti or rangatahi in our care. This policy defines when the plan is needed and how we develop, maintain and use it.

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Allegations of harm (ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation) of tamariki in care or custody

How to respond to allegations of ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation ('harm') of tamariki in care or custody, including keeping tamariki safe, carrying out the assessment or investigation and managing the outcome.

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Allegations of harm towards rangatahi aged 18 and above by transition caregivers

When there is an allegation of harm (abuse or neglect), we work closely with rangatahi aged 18 and over, transition caregivers and the Police to share information and provide support and advice to rangatahi and transition caregivers.

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Assessment

Quality assessment ensures our decision-making responds to the individual immediate and long-term needs of all tamariki and rangatahi we work with. Quality assessments give effect to the Oranga Tamariki practice standards and the National Care Standards.

Care arrangements

We must provide tamariki or rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive with a safe care arrangement that responds to their needs and nurtures and advances their oranga (wellbeing).

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Caregiver advertising

This policy applies when we are advertising for caregivers.

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Caregiver and adoptive applicant assessment and approval

The requirements for the assessment and approval of prospective caregivers (family/whānau and non-whānau) and adoptive applicants (domestic and inter-country adoption).

Caregiver support

The requirements for providing support to Oranga Tamariki approved caregivers (whānau or family and non-whānau or family).

Caregivers – Review of caregiver approval

The requirements for the review of a caregiver's approval status.

Case recording

Case recording helps us uphold the mana and understand and tell the story of those we work with, including tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau or family. It also helps us understand our engagement with wider networks including hapū and iwi during a case.

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Casework responsibilities when our work involves more than 1 site

When our casework involves more than 1 site, we must uphold the right of tamariki, rangatahi, their whānau or family, and caregivers to a continuous and easily accessible social work service, where all relevant information is communicated.

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Enrolling tamariki in KiwiSaver

Caregivers who are legal guardians under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 can enrol tamariki in their care in KiwiSaver without consulting with other guardians, including parents.

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Ensuring a safe, stable and loving home for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

This policy sets out the requirements to ensure tamariki in care have a safe, stable and loving home if they are unable to have their long-term care needs met by their parents or usual carers. This policy replaces 'Noho ake Oranga'.

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Escorting tamariki and rangatahi

What we must do when we organise and carry out escorted travel for tamariki and rangatahi when it's needed to ensure the oranga (wellbeing, health, safety and security) of te tamaiti or rangatahi, other tamariki or rangatahi, escort kaimahi or the public.

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Family Court

We must present and conduct ourselves in a professional and respectful manner when engaging with the Family Court. We must prepare and file clear and outcomes-focused protection applications, court plans and reports.

Family group conferences for care or protection concerns

We support tamariki and their whānau or family to create their own solutions to address care or protection concerns through the family group conference process, from referral to review, including when a family group conference is reconvened.

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Participation of tamariki — providing information, ensuring understanding and incorporating their views

We must ensure tamariki have the information and support they need to freely express their views and actively participate in the work we do together.

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Professional supervision

Professional supervision is a formal, ongoing process, vital to child-centred practice, relationship enhancement, and professional development and wellbeing.

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Rangatahi in care or custody driving a vehicle

Rangatahi in care or custody need to be supported to gain a driver licence like all rangatahi in Aotearoa need support. We ensure rangatahi and vehicle owners understand the implications, responsibilities, and the support available from Oranga Tamariki.

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Reports to the Ombudsman – section 47

We must provide a report to the Ombudsman where te tamaiti or rangatahi is in the care or custody of the chief executive and is released from that custody within 5 days of the care arrangement.

Safe sleep

All tamariki under 2 years of age who are in the care or custody of the chief executive must sleep in a safe, age-appropriate bed at all times.

Sharing information

Sharing information is a key part of a practitioner’s role when working with tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau or family to ensure we're keeping tamariki and rangatahi safe. We respect the mana and dignity of the people the information is about.

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Smoking and vaping

We must endeavour to provide tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive with a smoke and vape free environment.

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Subsequent child

This policy advises what we must do when we become aware that the subsequent child provisions of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 (sections 18A to 18D) may apply to a parent and their tamaiti.

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Support for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

This policy outlines our support obligations to address the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive.

Transition to adulthood — Preparation, assessment and planning

This policy outlines how we must help rangatahi prepare to transition from care or other placements including youth justice residential placements and become increasingly independent.

Transition to adulthood — Entitlement to remain or return to live with a caregiver

This policy sets out our obligations to eligible rangatahi and caregivers when rangatahi wish to remain with, or return to live with, a caregiver.

Transition to adulthood — Advice and assistance

This policy provides key information to help ensure our advice and assistance meets the needs of eligible rangatahi and helps them move towards independence.

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Transition to adulthood — Maintaining contact

We must maintain contact with eligible rangatahi who have left care or a youth justice residential placement when a transition worker isn’t available through a local provider.

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Transitions within care

We must support a positive and successful transition when tamariki come into care or custody, move to live with a new caregiver, including residences, move into, between or out of a residence, return home or live permanently with a new whānau or family.

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Travel

We must ensure the oranga (wellbeing, health, safety and security) of tamariki and rangatahi we have responsibilities for while they are travelling.

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Using Family Court orders to respond to tamariki who offend – section 14(1)(e)

Applications for care or protection orders on section 14(1)(e) grounds are made by enforcement officers. Offending by tamariki aged 10 to 13 years is managed through a youth justice process but is primarily a care and protection concern.

Visiting and engaging with tamariki and rangatahi in care

This policy sets out the purpose and requirements of visiting tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive.

Without notice application for interim custody of a tamaiti or rangatahi

Without notice applications for interim custody of a tamaiti or rangatahi under section 78 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 can only be made in exceptional circumstances and require approval of the site manager.

Working with disabled tamariki who require a specialised out-of-home placement

This policy outlines the ways to provide support for disabled tamariki with high and complex needs and may require a specialised out-of-home placement.

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Working with rangatahi and tamariki in remand homes

Social workers and remand home kaimahi support rangatahi and tamariki when they are in, or transitioning to or from, a remand home.

Working with tamariki and rangatahi in residences

This policy outlines what we must do while working with tamariki and rangatahi in residences.

Working with tamariki and rangatahi in supervised group homes

This policy sets out requirements to support tamariki and rangatahi in, or transitioning to or from, a supervised group home.

Working with tamariki and rangatahi who are missing, or whose absence is unauthorised

This policy outlines our responsibilities and the process to follow when one of our tamariki or rangatahi is missing or their absence is unauthorised.

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Youth Court

When we are involved with the Youth Court, we need a good understanding of the court processes and how they relate to us and the people we work with.

Youth justice family group conference – convening the conference

When convening family group conferences, we support tamariki, rangatahi, their whānau or family, and victims of offending through a restorative justice process to uphold the mana of all involved.

Youth justice family group conference – holding the conference

We support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, family and victims of offending through a restorative process, in the least intrusive way possible, to uphold the mana of everyone involved.

Youth justice family group conference – supporting, monitoring and reviewing the plan

We support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or family to implement their youth justice family group conference plan. We also monitor progress, review the plan as agreed and determine when it is completed.

These policies have not yet been rewritten and can be found on the previous Practice Centre:

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Adoption – Working with expectant parents

Adoption – Facilitating an adoption placement

Adoption – Intercountry adoption: adopting a tamaiti from overseas

Adoption – Responding to relative intercountry adoption proposals

All About Me plan

Allegations of harm (ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation) of tamariki in care or custody

Allegations of harm towards rangatahi aged 18 and above by transition caregivers

Assessment

Care arrangements

Caregiver advertising

Caregiver and adoptive applicant assessment and approval

Caregiver support

Caregivers – Review of caregiver approval

Case recording

Casework responsibilities when our work involves more than 1 site

Enrolling tamariki in KiwiSaver

Ensuring a safe, stable and loving home for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

Escorting tamariki and rangatahi

Family Court

Family group conferences for care or protection concerns

Participation of tamariki — providing information, ensuring understanding and incorporating their views

Professional supervision

Rangatahi in care or custody driving a vehicle

Reports to the Ombudsman – section 47

Safe sleep

Sharing information

Smoking and vaping

Subsequent child

Support for tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

Transition to adulthood — Preparation, assessment and planning

Transition to adulthood — Entitlement to remain or return to live with a caregiver

Transition to adulthood — Advice and assistance

Transition to adulthood — Maintaining contact

Transitions within care

Travel

Using Family Court orders to respond to tamariki who offend – section 14(1)(e)

Visiting and engaging with tamariki and rangatahi in care

Without notice application for interim custody of a tamaiti or rangatahi

Working with disabled tamariki who require a specialised out-of-home placement

Working with rangatahi and tamariki in remand homes

Working with tamariki and rangatahi in residences

Working with tamariki and rangatahi in supervised group homes

Working with tamariki and rangatahi who are missing, or whose absence is unauthorised

Youth Court

Youth justice family group conference – convening the conference

Youth justice family group conference – holding the conference

Youth justice family group conference – supporting, monitoring and reviewing the plan

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