Interventions
Family group conferencing practice standards
These practice standards cover the key practice requirements for care and protection coordinators, youth justice coordinators and social workers to support high-quality family group conferencing.
Assessment and planning
When urgent action is needed to secure the safety of pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi
We should consider these principles when there are serious safety concerns for pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi and the situation is urgent.
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.
Assessment and planning, Policy
Assessment
Assessment is an ongoing process of gathering information to build and deepen understanding, requiring critical thinking and analysis. This ensures informed decision-making with whānau or family and responds to the oranga needs of tamariki and rangatahi.
Assessment and planning
Subsequent child – section 18A assessment by social worker
Social workers need to complete a thorough section 18 assessment by working closely with the parents, family, whānau, hapū, iwi or family group to understand if te tamaiti is unlikely to be at risk of the kind of harm experienced by a previous tamaiti.
Interventions
Tamariki with offending behaviours
When offending behaviours start in childhood, early interventions need to focus on the underlying care or protection concerns. We apply an oranga lens to help us understand the needs of the tamariki in the context of their whānau or family.
Care
Enrolling and engaging tamariki and rangatahi in care in education
We work in partnership to build a shared understanding of the education needs of tamariki and rangatahi, identify the best education environment for them and develop a plan. A good relationship with the school and effective communication are vital.
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.
Adoption
Meeting and making a contact agreement
We encourage birthparents and adoptive applicants to meet after the birth of te tamaiti. We help them create a contact agreement that records their commitment to information sharing and ongoing contact arrangements.
Practice approach
Keep accurate records — guidance
I will document my key actions and decisions for each tamaiti I am working with, in order to ensure significant decisions are clearly evidenced and transparent.