Assessment and planning
Child sexual exploitation
We may become aware through a report of concern or while we are working with a whānau or family that someone is accessing, exchanging or producing recordings of the sexual abuse of tamariki or rangatahi (sometimes called child pornography).
Working with Māori
Kairaranga ā-whānau
Kairaranga ā-whānau is a specialist Māori role. The literal meaning of the term is: a person who is a weaver of family connections.
Care
Supporting whānau connections
We need to support tamariki to establish, maintain and strengthen safe connections with their whānau or family (including siblings), hapū, iwi, marae and family group, and anyone else they or their whānau or family identify as important.
Care
Assessing the home environment of applicants
The oranga (wellbeing) of te tamaiti must be at the centre of decision-making that affects them. This includes addressing their need for a safe, stable and loving home. When assessing applicants’ homes, we must mitigate or manage any safety risks.
Care
Supporting tamariki with their education and training needs
We support tamariki to access education services both to maintain their learning and to meet their specific educational needs. Good education outcomes are essential to good life outcomes.
Assessment and planning
Allocating a key worker and co-worker
When a child and family assessment, investigation or intervention is required for a tamaiti or rangatahi, a key worker is allocated who holds responsibility for all case activity. A co-worker may assist the key worker for a specific purpose.
Practice approach
Supervision
Supervision is a recripocal relationship between a supervisor (kaiārahi) and supervisee (kaitiaki). Within the Oranga Tamariki context, the term kaiārahi means to guide, mentor, lead, and the term kaitiaki means to guard, protect and care for.
Practice approach
Use professional supervision — guidance
Using professional supervision to critically reflect on our practice ensures decision-making is robust and builds the quality of my professional practice.
Care, Policy
Transitions within care
We must support a positive and successful transition when tamariki and rangatahi come into care or custody, move to live with a new caregiver, move into, between or out of a residence, return home or live permanently with a new whānau or family.
Care
Caregiver peer support
Caregivers can benefit from peer support in order to feel connected to people who understand their experience. We can help facilitate increased peer support so caregivers can establish ongoing, supportive, relationship-based networks.