Policy
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).Supporting practice
Our practice is supported by our practice framework (encompassing our models and practice standards), our care standards, and tools and resources.
Updates made to this policy
This page has been updated to reference the new practice models Te Toka Tūmoana and Va'aifetū.
When this policy applies
This policy applies to all tamariki or rangatahi who are in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive and cared for by an Oranga Tamariki approved caregiver.
When this policy does not apply
This policy does not apply to tamariki or rangatahi who are:
- no longer in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive but who are living with a caregiver under a Living Arrangement (entitlement to remain or return – ETRR)
- in the care of a care partner
- in a care and protection or youth justice residence
- in a supervised group home, remand home or other community home
- on bail.
Policy: Transition to adulthood – Entitlement to remain or return to live with a caregiver
If te tamaiti or rangatahi is to be in the care of a shared care partner, the requirements and processes in the section 'Working with care partners for care arrangements' apply.
Working with care partners for care arrangements
Approved caregivers
All tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive must be cared for by an Oranga Tamariki approved caregiver.
If a care arrangement for a tamaiti or rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive needs to be made in an urgent situation, a caregiver may be provisionally approved.
It is a requirement of the Oranga Tamariki (National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 that caregivers must be approved or provisionally approved before te tamaiti or rangatahi moves to live in their care. If te tamaiti or rangatahi is not living in the care of an approved caregiver, we must take immediate steps to remedy this.
Working in partnership with family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family groups
The right to and primary responsibility for caring for and nurturing the oranga (wellbeing) and development of tamariki and rangatahi lies with their family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group.
We must work together with the family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group of te tamaiti or rangatahi at the earliest opportunity to explore and agree care arrangement options that are stable and well supported and meet the full range of needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi. We must provide all relevant information to the family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group so they can actively participate and make well-informed decisions.
Advocacy for parents and whānau or family
If we have not already done so, a thorough search for family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group must be undertaken and documented as soon as we are considering a care arrangement for te tamaiti or rangatahi. This will include exploration of whakapapa, including identifying and verifying hapū and iwi connections and places of significance.
Policy: Case recording – Recording ethnicity and cultural identity
We consult and work with a kairaranga ā-whānau or, if not available, a senior Māori practitioner or a competent bicultural practitioner for tamariki and rangatahi Māori to support our search for whānau, hapū and iwi.
For Pacific children, we consult with and work alongside appropriate Pacific advisors when seeking and making decisions about care arrangements for Pacific children and young people.
Involving te tamaiti or rangatahi in decisions about their care
Tamariki and rangatahi have a right to be safely cared for within their family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group and have their oranga realised and sustained.
From the earliest opportunity, we must build a relationship with te tamaiti or rangatahi and involve them in finding an appropriate home for them to live. Tamariki and rangatahi have a right to be kept fully informed, to be supported to participate and express their views, and to have their views and wishes taken into account.
Care arrangements
For all tamariki and rangatahi, preference must be given for them to be living with a member of their wider family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group who is able to meet their needs, including with their siblings where feasible.
If an initial care arrangement for te tamaiti or rangatahi is not within their wider family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group, then we must find a care arrangement for them within their wider family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group at the earliest opportunity.
If this is not achievable for tamariki or rangatahi Māori, then a care arrangement with a Māori caregiver must be preferenced. We must work with mana whenua, iwi and Māori organisations to find an appropriate care arrangement.
If this is not achievable for Pacific children or young people, preference must be given to a care arrangement with a Pacific caregiver. We must consult with and work alongside appropriate Pacific advisors to find an appropriate care arrangement.
For tamariki and rangatahi Māori, a care arrangement outside of wider family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group with non-Māori caregivers should only be agreed if no other option is available. It should be considered short term, and support to maintain and strengthen the whakapapa, whanaungatanga and cultural connections of te tamaiti or rangatahi must be in place while they are living there.
For Pacific children and young people, a care arrangement outside of wider family or family group with non-Pacific caregivers should only be agreed if no other option is available. It should be considered short term, and support to maintain and strengthen the family and cultural connections of the child or young person must in place while they are living there.
Care arrangement considerations
While tamariki or rangatahi are in the care or custody of the chief executive, we must ensure a safe, stable and appropriate care arrangement for them that addresses their oranga needs, preserves their connections, recognises the importance of their whakapapa, and supports them to achieve their aspirations and potential. This includes recognising and supporting:
- the oranga (wellbeing) of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family
- their culture, belonging and identity
- enduring connections to family, whānau (including siblings), hapū, iwi, family groups, significant people and community
- cultural connections to significant events and places
- the cultural beliefs, practices and whanaungatanga responsibilities of family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group.
Consider the likely effects of a care arrangement
As a part of our collective consideration of a particular care arrangement, we must work with te tamaiti or rangatahi, family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group to assess and understand the likely effects of the care arrangement on:
- te tamaiti or rangatahi, and
- the household, including all other tamariki and rangatahi regularly cared for by the caregiver in the home (including any tamariki or rangatahi of the caregiver).
As we build our understanding of the likely effects of a care arrangement, the views of the caregiver social worker and the social workers for any other tamariki or rangatahi living in the home must be sought and considered.
Each time a new care arrangement with a caregiver is being considered, we must consider the likely effects of that care arrangement. Te tamaiti or rangatahi must only move to live in a care arrangement if the assessment of the likely effect of that care arrangement is that the oranga of te tamaiti or rangatahi and the household will be maintained or strengthened.
When we work with the family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group to understand the likely effects, we must consider the:
- individual needs of all tamariki or rangatahi who will be cared for by the caregiver in the home (including any tamariki and rangatahi of the caregiver)
- needs, strengths and wellbeing of the caregiver and the caregiving whānau
- capacity of the caregiver to meet the individual and collective needs of the tamariki and rangatahi in the home
- informal and formal resources available to support the caregiver and the caregiving whānau.
Our understanding of the likely effects on the care arrangement and the agreed response to address those effects must be recorded as a casenote in the Caregiver Information System (CGIS) and the caregiver support plan. This includes specific needs identified, such as support to meet disability-related, cultural or identity needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi, and practical support for the caregiver, such as assistance with transport if the caregiver does not have a full driver licence. Identified needs must also be recorded in the All About Me plan of te tamaiti or rangatahi as appropriate.
Caregivers without a full driver licence
We must also record any identified safety considerations and create or update a safety plan as appropriate.
We use Tiaki Oranga to help us understand and plan for current safety, harm and risk for te tamaiti or rangatahi.
We must support the caregiver to provide a safe physical environment.
Assessing the home environment of applicants
Approval of multiple care arrangements for unrelated tamariki or rangatahi
In addition to the assessment and understanding of the likely effects of a care arrangement, special approval is required for unrelated tamariki or rangatahi living together with a caregiver.
Before a tamaiti or rangatahi can move to live with a caregiver already caring for an unrelated tamaiti or rangatahi (excluding their own tamariki or rangatahi), approval must be given by the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi in consultation with the Caregiver Recruitment and Support (CGRS) supervisor.
Before a tamaiti or rangatahi can move to live with a caregiver already caring for 2 unrelated tamariki or rangatahi (excluding their own tamariki or rangatahi), approval must be given by the CGRS manager.
The request for approval must include the views of the caregiver social worker and the social workers for any other tamariki or rangatahi living in the home.
There must never be more than a total of 6 tamariki or rangatahi placed in a Oranga Tamariki Family Home at any one time.
Care arrangements requiring special consideration approval
The DCE Tamariki and Whānau Services must approve a care arrangement when an approved caregiver has:
- been convicted of rape, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, abduction and grievous bodily harm against any person (including tamariki and rangatahi)
- been convicted of a sexual offence involving the harm or sexual exploitation of a tamaiti or rangatahi (including child pornography)
- been found by a court to have sexually abused a tamaiti or rangatahi
- admitted they have sexually abused a tamaiti or rangatahi.
Endorsement by the lawyer for te tamaiti or rangatahi is also required if the caregiver has been convicted under the Crimes Act 1961 of the murder, manslaughter or infanticide of a tamaiti or rangatahi who was in the person's care or custody at the time of death of te tamaiti or rangatahi.
A care arrangement with a staff member who is also an approved caregiver requires the approval of the Regional Commissioner in the area in which that staff member resides. This requires prior consultation with the CGRS manager.
The DCE approval required for a care arrangement differs from approvals requiring special consideration in the assessment and approval of caregivers and adoptive applicants.
Policy: Caregiver and adoptive applicant assessment and approval
When a care arrangement has been agreed
When a care arrangement has been identified and agreed, we must work with te tamaiti or rangatahi, their family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group, and the caregiver to ensure:
- the caregiver has been assessed and approved
- the All About Me plan is developed or updated
- the caregiver support plan is developed or updated.
We work with te tamaiti or rangatahi, their whānau or family and the caregiver to plan and support the transition into the new care arrangement.
Policy: Caregiver and adoptive applicant assessment and approval
Working with care partners for care arrangements
What is a shared care arrangement
Tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive may have their day-to-day care provided by a caregiver or care staff of a care partner. The Oranga Tamariki social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi and the care partner will work collaboratively together in the ways outlined in the shared care service specifications to ensure te tamaiti or rangatahi receives the quality of care they need.
In a shared care arrangement, the Oranga Tamariki social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi maintains responsibility for carrying out their role according to our policy and practice guidance. This includes:
- the initial needs assessment and ongoing review of the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
- the development and review of their All About Me plan
- providing support to ensure their assessed needs are met
- ensuring tamariki and rangatahi are informed and supported to freely express their views and actively participate in decisions that affect them
- visiting and engaging with te tamaiti or rangatahi
- supporting their transition to and from their care arrangement.
The care partners are responsible for the day-to-day care of te tamaiti or rangatahi and will also work with the family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group of te tamaiti or rangatahi. The care partner is also responsible for the recruitment, assessment and approval, and support of their caregivers or care staff.
Policy: Support for tamariki in care or custody
Policy: Visiting and engaging with tamariki in care
Policy: Transitions within care
Considering a care arrangement with a care partner
If consideration is being given to care being provided for a tamaiti or rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive by a care partner, the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi must ensure that a full needs assessment for te tamaiti or rangatahi has been completed and recorded, unless urgent circumstances prevent this.
The social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi must work with the care partner through the agreed care partner referral process. All relevant information about te tamaiti or rangatahi will be disclosed as a part of this process.
The care partner is responsible for selecting a specific care arrangement, but we must work closely with them to ensure this aligns with the care arrangement considerations and will meet the specific assessed needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi.
The needs assessment for te tamaiti or rangatahi and agreement to the referral by the care partner must occur before the care arrangement begins.
Service specifications and care model summary | orangatamariki.govt.nz
Policy: Working with disabled tamariki who require a specialised out-of-home placement
Approved independent living arrangements
We can support an independent living arrangement for rangatahi aged 16 years and over when it is agreed as a part of their transition plan that this would be the right thing to do to support their successful transition to adulthood.
An independent living arrangement must be approved by the site manager. If the rangatahi is in a residence at the time of planning the independent living arrangement, the residence manager must be involved in the approval discussion.
For an independent living arrangement to be approved, the rangatahi must:
- be 16 years or over
- have adequate practical and life skills
- be meaningfully engaged during the day – either in work or study
- have an identified and engaged network of support.
All rangatahi who are living in an approved independent living arrangement must have a current:
- All About Me plan, and
- transition plan.
Policy: Transition to adulthood – Preparation, assessment and planning
Before the arrangement begins
Before the arrangement begins, we must:
- update the transition plan
- address any identified risks
- consider the safety, suitability and sustainability of the planned living arrangement
- confirm the support network available to the rangatahi.
Once the arrangement begins
Once the arrangement begins, we must:
- continue to visit them according to the frequency agreed in their All About Me plan
- have regular contact between visits (for example, by phone or text message)
- continue to work with them to give effect to their All About Me plan and transition plan and support them as they transition to adulthood.
If tamariki or rangatahi without a care or custody status move from the care of their parent or usual caregiver to the care of someone else
If our work with te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family leads them to decide that te tamaiti or rangatahi needs to be cared for by someone else (without a care or custody status), we must support the whānau or family to explore the likely effects of the care arrangement to ensure that the oranga (wellbeing) of te tamaiti or rangatahi and the household, including all other tamariki and rangatahi regularly cared for by the caregiver in the home, will be maintained or strengthened.
We will support the whānau or family to consider the:
- individual needs of all tamariki or rangatahi who will be cared for by the carer in the home (including any tamariki and rangatahi of the carer)
- needs, strengths and wellbeing of the carer
- capacity of the carer to meet the individual and collective needs of the tamariki and rangatahi in the home
- informal and formal resources available to support the carer
- whether the carer requires any financial support to meet the reasonable needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi.
With the consent of the whānau or family, we will also check information recorded in CYRAS and CGIS.
If it has been agreed that the carer will apply for an Unsupported Child Benefit, we must offer to support their application to Work and Income.
Child Support, Unsupported Child's Benefit and Orphan's Benefit
If additional financial or other support is required, the social worker must assist the whānau or family to access support through Work and Income, Oranga Tamariki or other support agencies.
Support and assistance for tamariki and rangatahi not in need of care or protection
If the decision is made that te tamaiti or rangatahi without a care or custody status moves from the care of their parent or usual caregiver to the care of someone else as a result of a family group conference, we must determine that the proposed care arrangement is safe and suitable for the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi.
Practice framework prompts for this policy
Our practice is framed in te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), based on a mana-enhancing paradigm for practice and draws from te ao Māori principles of oranga within the context of our role in statutory child protection and youth justice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our practice framework helps us make sense of and organise our practice.
Ngākau whakairo
How will I support the right of te tamaiti or rangatahi to be cared for by, and connected to, their whānau or family?- How will I support the right of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family to determine who will provide care for te tamaiti or rangatahi?
Whai mātauranga
Whose knowledge will help me understand how this whānau or family exercises its whanaungatanga responsibilities?- How can I draw on this knowledge to ensure a care arrangement that promotes and protects whakapapa connection?
Whai oranga
How will I explore and understand the collective oranga of the sibling group?- How will I ensure their collective oranga will be preserved and strengthened through the care arrangement?
Whai pūkenga
What relational skills and approaches will I use to make sure that whānau or family feel confident and safe to share their ideas, hopes, concerns or uncertainties as we work together to explore safe care arrangement options?
Whai ākona
What preconceived views or biases do I hold about this whānau or family?- What will I need to do to ensure that these do not shape or hinder my work with the whānau or family to find solutions for safe care?