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Caring for children and young people policy — Key information

Updated: 17 February 2017

What's important to us

We want all tamariki (children and young people) to reach their potential. Wherever possible we need to support their whānau or family to care safely for them, and to support extended whānau or family to provide care when tamariki are unable to live with their parents. This includes working in partnership with whānau or family, supporting their participation in decision-making, and the provision of safe and secure care of their tamariki.

This policy brings together the key expectations when working with mokopuna where Oranga Tamariki has casework responsibility, under an open intervention phase (care and protection or youth justice). This includes all mokopuna involved with Oranga Tamariki via family/whānau agreements, care agreements, plans developed at a family group conference, and Court orders. Some sections apply only to mokopuna in the custody of the chief executive.

Babysitting and overnight stays: When children or young people are in care

Caring for tamariki in care

Consent for medical examinations and treatment

Cumulative harm

Custody, guardianship and wardship

Grief and separation when a child or young person enters care

Higher fostercare allowance (HFCA)

Maintaining family/whānau relationships

Mass allegation investigations

Policy: Support for tamariki in care or custody

Policy: Working with tamariki and rangatahi who are missing, or whose absence is unauthorised

Putting safety first: Is it ever okay to use 'reasonable force' against children and young people?