Smoking and vaping

For clarity, some changes have been made around the language of assessment.

This policy applies to all caregivers for tamariki and rangatahi in the care or custody of the Oranga Tamariki chief executive, including those placed with our care partners.

A smoke and vape free environment means:

• no smoking or vaping in the presence of te tamaiti or rangatahi
• a smoke and vape free home
• a smoke and vape free car.

We must understand the caregiver's willingness and ability to provide a smoke and vape free environment for a tamaiti or rangatahi in their care at the time of their caregiver assessment and approval and at the time of the care arrangement.

Smoking and vaping – Assessing the home environment of applicants

When a prospective family or whānau caregiver is unwilling or unable to provide a smoke and vape free environment, consider the best interests of te tamaiti or rangatahi alongside the family or whānau caregiver's smoking or vaping practice. Our caregiver assessment must include providing information about the health risks for both the carer and te tamaiti or rangatahi so they are fully informed and parents and guardians are consulted.

We must consider going to hui ā-whānau when smoking and vaping harms are not being mitigated by the proposed caregiver.

Smoking and vaping – Assessing the home environment of applicants

We must create a casenote that contains our analysis and rationale for any exception to the provision of a smoke and vape free environment.

Delegation for approval sits with the following roles:

• at the time of caregiver approval – sits with the Care Manager, Caregiver Recruitment and Support
• at the time te tamaiti or rangatahi moves into a care arrangement – sits with the Site Manager.