Caregiver support

Ngākau whakairo

How will I promote a shared understanding between the caregiver and their whānau or family, and te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, of the rights, obligations and responsibilities that each has? How will I encourage collaborative relationships?

Ngākau whakairo practice framework domain

Whai mātauranga

What similarities and differences do I recognise in the narratives of the caregiver and their whānau or family, the parents of te tamaiti or rangatahi, and other whānau or family? How can I use my understanding of these similarities and differences to help build positive relationships that support whakapapa connections?

Whai mātauranga practice framework domain

Whai oranga

As the caregiver social worker, how will I work with the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi to use our collective strengths to support and build the capability of the caregiver and their whānau or family?

Whai oranga practice framework domain

Whai pūkenga

What are the skills I need to gain a deeper understanding of the caregiver's strengths and support needs? How will I support the caregiver to reflect on and share their personal support and development needs in ways that are mana enhancing?

Whai pūkenga practice framework domain

Whai ākona

What are my beliefs about the way parents and whānau or family should provide care for their tamariki and rangatahi? How do my beliefs influence the way I talk about the parents and whānau or family of te tamaiti or rangatahi with the caregiver and others? Is it respectful and mana enhancing?

Whai ākona practice framework domain

This policy doesn't apply to:

• parents or guardians of te tamaiti or rangatahi (who are not approved as caregivers)
• caregivers of a section 396 provider care partner (care partner), who are supported through the care partner
• independent living arrangements.

This policy provides direction for Oranga Tamariki social workers working with care partner caregivers when tamariki and rangatahi are living with them.

The caregiver support plan must describe:

• the caregiver's needs
• the support that will be provided to help the caregiver and the caregiving household to meet the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• the training that will be provided to strengthen the caregiver's ability to meet the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• support that will be provided to help the caregiver and their household manage the emotional impact of providing care
• the support or training that will be provided to build the capability of the caregiver and their household to provide care
• how often the caregiver will be visited by their social worker and the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi (and the reasons for that frequency)
• how often we will review (and the reasons for that frequency) the caregiver's:
  • support plan
  • approval status.

Where the caregiver is a staff member, there will be unique support needs, such as managing conflict of interest and confidentiality, which will need to be addressed through the allocation of their caregiver support worker and in the caregiver support plan.

Policy: Review of caregiver approval

The caregiver support plan must be regularly reviewed:

• to ensure that the care arrangement with the caregiver is able to meet the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi living with them
• to identify any additional support or training that is required by the caregiver.

The caregiver support plan must also be reviewed:

• if it's identified that the caregiver's needs have changed
• when the All About Me plan for te tamaiti or rangatahi is reviewed
• when the caregiver's approval status is reviewed
• following an allegation that a tamaiti or rangatahi in the caregiver's care has suffered abuse, neglect or harm – regardless of who is alleged to have abused, neglected or harmed te tamaiti or rangatahi
• when a new tamaiti or rangatahi moves to the care of the caregiver.

At the completion of an investigation or assessment into an allegation of abuse, neglect or harm of a tamaiti or rangatahi by a caregiver, the caregiver's approval status must also be reviewed.

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

Policy: Review of caregiver approval

The caregiver social worker must work closely with the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi as they assess the support needs of both the caregiver and te tamaiti or rangatahi to ensure a coordinated response.

The caregiver social worker and the social worker for each tamaiti or rangatahi must visit the caregiver as agreed in the caregiver support plan. The frequency of visiting must reflect the needs of the caregiver and the caregiving household. This includes consideration of each caregiving adult in the home, their contribution to the care of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their visiting needs.

When tamariki and rangatahi are living with the caregiver of a care partner, the care partner, the care partner's caregiver social worker and the Oranga Tamariki social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi must work closely together to ensure a coordinated assessment and response to need.

Policy: Visiting and engaging with tamariki in care

Contact with the caregiver will focus on:

• the wellbeing of the caregiver and their household
• the caregiver support plan and whether it's meeting the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi, the caregiver and their household
• cultural considerations or concerns the caregiver may have
• any additional support they require to deliver safe and appropriate care
• safety interests and wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• meeting the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi and promoting mana tamaiti
• supporting te tamaiti or rangatahi to maintain contact with parents and whānau or family
• supporting te tamaiti or rangatahi to establish, maintain and strengthen their whakapapa connections
• supporting whanaungatanga practices
• any considerations that may lead to a review of the caregiver support plan.

Any issues that are specific to te tamaiti or rangatahi must be casenoted and discussed with their social worker.

When tamariki and rangatahi are living with a care partner, the care partner's caregiver social worker will visit the caregiver as specified in the caregiver's support plan.

Contact with the caregiver will focus on:

• safety interests, meeting the needs and promoting the wellbeing of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• the progress of the plan for te tamaiti or rangatahi and the caregiver's responsibilities under that plan – is it working and what might be needed to make it work
• cultural considerations for te tamaiti or rangatahi
• promoting mana tamaiti
• maintaining and strengthening the whakapapa connections of te tamaiti
• supporting whanaungatanga practices
• matters relating to the provision of care – ensuring day-to-day needs are being met, discussing upcoming events in the life of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• any considerations that may lead to a review of the plan for te tamaiti or rangatahi or the caregiver support plan.

This visit must be casenoted and discussed with the caregiver social worker.

Policy: Visiting and engaging with tamariki in care

When tamariki and rangatahi are living with a care partner's caregiver, the Oranga Tamariki social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi will reach agreement on when they will visit the caregiver with the caregiver and the care partner. The agreed visiting frequency will be documented by the care partner in the caregiver's plan.

The care partner's caregiver support plan is the property of the care partner and must not be saved and stored by Oranga Tamariki. The social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi will casenote the agreed caregiver visiting frequency on the CYRAS record for te tamaiti or rangatahi.

When we develop the caregiver support plan, we must identify any training required to:

• strengthen the caregiver's ability to meet the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• build the capability of the caregiver and their household to provide care.

Our assessment of training needs must take account of any training already attended.

The training that will be provided must be described in the caregiver support plan and considered at each review of the plan.

Training for caregivers of a care partner is the responsibility of the care partner.

Whenever needs are identified, the caregiver social worker will work with the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi to ensure that these needs are met. Where agreement can't be reached about the provision of additional financial support, this must be escalated to the caregiver recruitment and support manager and the site manager to resolve.

Approved caregivers providing care for tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive must receive:

• the caregiver allowance – the rate of this payment is based on the age of te tamaiti or rangatahi and is set by the Oranga Tamariki chief executive (caregivers must not receive a lesser rate)
• the small cost payment – a payment of $11.22 is included in the caregiver allowance base rate to cover additional small cost items te tamaiti or rangatahi needs (if ongoing costs are regularly consuming this payment, consideration must be given to reimbursement of those costs)
• the nappy payment for tamariki aged 0 to 4 years (inclusive) – the rate is $27.87 per week (this is included in the caregiver allowance base rate, except for tamariki and rangatahi living with Family Home caregivers, for whom it must be manually requested) – this payment is an entitlement until te tamaiti or rangatahi turns 5 years and is not subject to review
• a separate payment to cover the start-up cost for the school uniform when te tamaiti or rangatahi starts at a school or when the uniform changes within the school
• a 4-weekly clothing allowance – the rate for this payment is based on the age of te tamaiti or rangatahi and is to meet reasonable clothing needs (including ongoing maintenance of school uniforms) for tamariki and rangatahi in care arrangements that are intended to be ongoing
• pocket money for tamariki and rangatahi – the rate of this payment is based on a level appropriate to the age and circumstance of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• a birthday and Christmas allowance – the rate of this payment is the equivalent of half of the caregiver allowance for te tamaiti or rangatahi and is to be used for celebrations and presents
• reimbursement for health, education, cultural connection and recreation costs – these costs must be preapproved by the site manager.

The full entitlement of pocket money (paid as a part of the caregiver allowance) must be passed on by the caregiver to te tamaiti or rangatahi. Pocket money must never be removed from te tamaiti or rangatahi as a punishment. If pocket money is to be used for a specific cost, such as payment for damage to property, the caregiver must first seek the agreement of the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Financial support to meet the needs of a tamaiti or rangatahi living with a care partner's caregiver is the responsibility of the care partner. The care partner is responsible for discussing the care needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi with the caregiver and how these needs are going to be financially supported.

If new needs are identified, the care partner will work with the social worker for te tamaiti or rangatahi to agree on how these needs will be met.

Caregiver allowance rates – financial help

Tamariki and rangatahi-related travel

Caregivers must have a full driver licence to drive tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive. The car driven must be registered and have a current warrant of fitness.

A restricted driver licence is not sufficient. Tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive are not defined as 'dependents' in the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 (SR 1999/100).

Caregivers without a full driver licence

Travel costs will be paid for travel relating to tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the chief executive. This includes travel related to caregiver training and support.

40 kilometres of travel costs per week are included in the caregiver allowance for each tamaiti or rangatahi.

Financial support, including travel costs, must be discussed with the caregiver at the time the care arrangement is organised. Provide the caregiver with the caregiver travel costs fact sheet.

Caregiver travel costs – fact sheet and scenarios (PDF 138 KB)

Additional travel costs

When tamaiti or rangatahi-related travel costs exceed 40 kilometres per week, extra support for travel for education, health or extracurricular activities must be provided to the caregiver.

If multiple tamariki and rangatahi are being cared for by the caregiver, additional travel costs will not be paid until travel costs exceed the combined total kilometres that have been paid in the caregiver allowance. For example, if the caregiver is receiving a caregiver allowance for 3 tamariki, additional financial support for travel will be paid when tamaiti-related travel exceeds 120 kilometres per week.

All additional travel costs must have the prior approval of the site manager.

The rates

• 40 kilometres to 140 kilometres – financial support for up to an additional 100 kilometres per week will be paid at the current Inland Revenue tier one kilometre rate for claiming vehicle expenses.
• Over 140 kilometres – financial support for travel exceeding 140 kilometres per week will be paid at 30 cents per kilometre.
• One-off or infrequent long distance travel – one-off or infrequent long distance travel will be paid at a rate of $47 per day of travel plus fuel. Fuel costs will be paid at 30 cents per kilometre. These can be estimated and paid in advance.

Kilometre rates 2023–24 | Inland Revenue

Staff resource: Travel calculator – regular travel and one-off trips | Te Pae

How travel costs are paid

The first 40 kilometres of travel costs per week are included in the caregiver allowance for each tamaiti or rangatahi.

If additional travel costs are to be paid, you must discuss and agree method of payment that works best for the caregiver and the type of additional financial support required.

Options include:

• regular additional financial support paid through the caregiver allowance
• separate payments into the caregiver's bank account
• petrol vouchers
• reimbursement on receipt of a claim.

We expect a claim will be processed within 10 working days from the time the claim for reimbursement is made.

Family Home caregivers

Tamariki and rangatahi-related travel costs for Family Home caregivers are paid in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the site as a part of their Family Home Agreement. Discuss any requests for travel costs for Family Home caregivers with your site manager.

Additional financial support

Additional financial support, preapproved by the site manager, must be paid when the caregiver is eligible for a specific payment in the circumstances outlined below. If the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi are not met through the standard payments, we should also consider providing additional financial assistance to meet needs.

Additional support may include:

• set up payment – a one-off $350 paid to caregivers when the care arrangement for each tamaiti or rangatahi is organised
• higher foster care allowance – paid where te tamaiti or rangatahi has additional or special needs
• a discretionary payment for nappies for tamariki or rangatahi aged 5 years or older who require nappies and for tamariki aged 0 to 4 years whose needs mean the usual cost of nappies exceeds the amount included in the caregiver allowance base rate (eligibility for this payment may be reviewed) – this payment is accessed through the usual process on CYRAS
• compensation for deliberate (non-accidental) damage – caregivers whose property is damaged by tamariki or rangatahi in their care may be compensated for the cost of the damage, if it's not covered by their insurance and meets our requirements
• payment of support organisation fees – when a newly approved caregiver joins a recognised caregiver support organisation, their first 2 years of fees will be paid for by Oranga Tamariki National Office (the caregiver is responsible for payment of any fees after the first 2 years).

The set-up grant is not for the purpose of purchasing items for te tamaiti or rangatahi. It is to support the caregiver to prepare for te tamaiti or rangatahi coming to live with them. If tamariki or rangatahi require specific items for themselves, these should be considered individually as part of the All About Me plan.

Support for families from Inland Revenue

Caregivers providing care to a pēpi aged under 1 year must be assisted to apply for the Best Start tax credit.

The caregiver support plan must be reviewed – the level of support required will be led by the caregiver and based on their needs.

The caregiver will be supported by the:

• caregiver social worker if they are an Oranga Tamariki caregiver
• care partner if they are a care partner caregiver.

When they are advised of the allegation, caregivers, including whānau caregivers, must be provided with written information about the service offered by Caring Families Aotearoa that delivers support, information and advice to caregivers who are the subject of an allegation of abuse, neglect or harm. The service is contracted by Oranga Tamariki for this purpose.

We must also consider whether the caregiver needs support:

• from someone of their culture, and provide this if possible
• with communication, such as a translator, and provide this if required.

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

Support for permanent caregivers

All permanent caregivers, as defined by the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 or in policy, must be given access to a package of support that extends beyond the discharge of orders against the Oranga Tamariki chief executive.

The permanent caregiver support package must be agreed before orders against the Oranga Tamariki chief executive are discharged.

Support provided must be needs based and included in an individualised support plan for tamariki and rangatahi and caregivers. The support is managed by the permanent caregiver support service under delegation from the Oranga Tamariki chief executive.

Support for the permanent caregivers of a care partner is the responsibility of the care partner.