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.

Practice approach

Serious harm

Harm can have a varying degree of impact on te tamaiti or rangatahi. Sometimes a single traumatic event (for example, a violent sexual or physical assault) can have a significant impact on te tamaiti or rangatahi and may constitute serious harm.

Youth justice family group conferences: Completion and presentation of decisions, recommendations and plans

Each family group conference is unique and therefore every plan will be different from the next in reflecting the exceptional circumstances of te tamaiti or rangatahi. However, there are certain things that a family group conference must address and these are discussed below. 

— download (PDF 51 KB)

Substances and choices scale – a clinician guide

Occurs on: SACS, Kessler and Suicide screens (SKS)

Using and interpreting the substances and choices scale.

Assessment and planning

Responding to concerns involving extremism or radicalisation

What we need to focus on when we respond to oranga, care, protection or youth justice concerns for tamariki or rangatahi who are or may be engaged with or connected to extremist or radical groups or ideology where violence or threats of violence feature.

— download (DOCX 47 KB)

Allegations of harm – outcome report template

Occurs on: Allegations of harm (ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation) of tamariki and rangatahi in care or custody

Designed to help with the structure of the outcome report for allegations of harm by caregivers.

— download (PDF 175 KB)

Police and Oranga Tamariki section 48 flowchart

Occurs on: Unaccompanied tamariki and rangatahi – section 48

Process for unaccompanied tamariki and rangatahi.

Interventions

Support and assistance for tamariki and rangatahi not in need of care or protection

We can provide support and assistance to address risks or wellbeing concerns for a tamaiti or rangatahi even if they are not in need of care or protection.

Interventions, Youth justice

14-day remand reviews of tamariki and rangatahi detained in a residence (section 242(1A)) or Corrections youth unit (section 242(2B))

We monitor tamariki and rangatahi who are detained in an Oranga Tamariki residence or Corrections youth unit in a prison at least once every 14 days. We try to find a community-based or other less restrictive care arrangement where appropriate.

— download (PDF 154 KB)

Practice note: When tamariki or rangatahi are at risk of harm (November 2023)

Occurs on: Practice notes

There will be times when tamariki or rangatahi are not safe at home and need to live away from their parents or usual caregivers. This may require a statutory order.