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.

Last updated: 08/11/2021

Practice framework prompts for this policy

Our practice framework helps us make sense of and organise our practice so it is framed in te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), 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.

Ngākau whakairo

How do we balance the right of te tamaiti or rangatahi to be cared for through whakapapa with their right to a smoke and vape free environment? How will I support the prospective caregiver and the whānau or family to find solutions when someone in the home smokes or vapes?

Ngākau whakairo practice framework domain

Whai mātauranga

How do the narratives of the caregiving family help me understand their motivation regarding smoking and vaping? How might this help me in my practice?

Whai mātauranga practice framework domain

Whai oranga

How will I support caregivers and prospective caregivers to consider the impacts of second-hand and third-hand smoke on the oranga of tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau or family?

Whai oranga practice framework domain 

Whai pūkenga

What skills and practices can I utilise if a caregiver or prospective caregiver is struggling to provide a smoke and vape free environment?

Whai pūkenga practice framework domain

Whai ākona

How could my experiences with smoking and vaping bias my understanding of a caregiver’s motivation to provide a smoke and vape free environment?

Whai ākona practice framework domain

Who this policy applies to

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.

Smoke and vape free environment

A smoke and vape free environment means:

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

We must assess 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 smoking or vaping still occurs

When a prospective family or whānau caregiver is unwilling or unable to provide a smoke and vape free environment, assess the best interests of te tamaiti or rangatahi alongside the family or whānau caregiver’s smoking or vaping practice. Our 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.

Smoking and vaping