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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/policy/casework-responsibilities-when-our-work-involves-more-than-1-site/
Printed: 06/12/2024
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Listen to this policy:

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.

When this policy applies

This policy applies when more than 1 site is involved – for example:

  • a report of concern is received and more than 1 Oranga Tamariki site is involved
  • cases need to be transferred between sites
  • te tamaiti or rangatahi is living temporarily outside their home area – for example, in a residential facility, at boarding school or on bail
  • a prospective caregiver or provisional caregiver lives in a different area from te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Working together when more than 1 site is involved may, for example, involve a case transfer, allocation of local co-worker, or sharing responsibilities and tasks such as in a caregiver assessment and approval.

When a report of concern is received and more than 1 site is involved

Reports of concern are referred to the site nearest to the present location of te tamaiti or rangatahi.

When another site is working with te tamaiti or rangatahi, the supervisor receiving the new report of concern must contact the appropriate supervisor in the site where the open phase is located.

The site receiving the new report of concern has the responsibility to assess or investigate that report of concern.

Open interventions remain the responsibility of the original site unless the case is transferred.

Together, the supervisors must plan the response that best meets the needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi.

Exception: When a tamaiti or rangatahi is temporarily admitted to a hospital outside of their home site area (for example, Starship Hospital or Middlemore Burns Unit), the report of concern is referred to the home site of te tamaiti or rangatahi. The home site can then talk with the site where the hospital is located and request a co-worker arrangement, if required.