Work closely in partnership with others

Upcoming changes for this practice standard

This content will be strengthened so it more completely reflects our commitment to practice framed by te Tiriti o Waitangi, based on a mana-enhancing paradigm for practice, and drawing from ​Te Ao Māori principles of oranga to support mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga. We each need to consider how we can apply these principles to our practice when reading this practice standard. The following resources provide support:
Practice for working effectively with Māori
Our practice shift

I will know I have achieved this standard when...

• I have sought information and have had conversations with other key people working with te tamaiti to inform my assessment and planning
• the views of whānau, hapū and iwi have informed decisions for te tamaiti
• I have shared relevant information with the right people in the best interests and safety of te tamaiti (those who need to know)
• I have engaged with the right people when making significant decisions for te tamaiti, including other key people working with them
• I have advocated for the rights and needs of te tamaiti where these are best met by other service providers or partners.

Quality practice means I also…

• keep others involved with te tamaiti informed about what is happening
• work collaboratively with a wide range of whānau, caregivers and professionals working with each tamaiti to develop an integrated and holistic assessment and plan
• take a collaborative partnership approach with whānau, hapū, iwi and iwi organisations to meet the cultural needs of tamariki Māori
• proactively engage Pacific communities and providers in meeting the needs of Pacific tamariki, and other communities and providers relevant to the diverse characteristics and needs of tamariki.

Why do we have this standard?

Tamariki and their whānau often have complex needs and inherent strengths that require careful attention as we work with them on their journey towards oranga and wellbeing. Meeting these needs and building effectively on these strengths is best met through a range of people’s involvement and support.

To be effective, we need to work in close partnership with key people, groups, services and organisations, that have the skills and resources to best meet the needs and build on the strengths of tamariki and their whānau. We will work with whānau, hapū and iwi.

Some of the groups we may work with include:

• universal services such as schools and health providers
• Māori/iwi affiliated organisations
• Pacific communities, ethnic community leaders, spiritual leaders and community groups
• specialist service providers
• Police and courts.

It is important to involve our partners in integrated, dynamic, ongoing assessments with te tamaiti and whānau. Best practice involves developing a single, collaborative plan, sharing information and coordinating service delivery.

We need to actively enable and support tamariki and whānau to engage with services. Practitioners should also be proactive in sharing information in a way that best meets the needs of tamariki, in accordance with legislation.

How will we know we have made a difference?

This standard will contribute to the following objectives:

1. Improving assessment and addressing of need, by:

• improving the extent to which assessments are identifying the full range of needs of tamariki and their whānau
• improving the extent to which plans identify and connect tamariki and their whānau with available services to address their identified needs.

2. Improving the stability of placements, by:

• improving the engagement between tamariki and professionals
• reducing the number of times tamariki need to repeat their stories
• enhancing the timely connection of tamariki with identified services provided by partner agencies, through effective collaboration.