Assessment and planning
Preventing suicide and self-harm
We screen and assess tamariki and rangatahi who are at risk of killing or harming themselves. We build our understanding and create plans with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau or family that pursue improved and sustained oranga, particularly safety.
Adoption
Involving fathers when considering adoption
Te tamaiti benefits from the involvement of their father and their whānau or family when exploring care options and any adoption plan.
Adoption
Direct adoption applications to the Family Court
People who want to adopt a tamaiti who is known to them can make an adoption application directly to the New Zealand Family Court. When requested by the court, we assess adoptive applicants and provide a social worker’s report.
Residential care, Policy
Working with tamariki and rangatahi in residences
This policy outlines what we must do while working with tamariki and rangatahi in residences.
Care
Before rangatahi turn 18 – preparing them to leave our care
We must prepare and assist eligible rangatahi over 15 years old when they leave care or a youth justice residential care arrangement to successfully transition to adulthood.
Adoption
Social worker approval for placement of te tamaiti in adoptive home
We provide a social worker placement approval that enables the lawful placement of te tamaiti with the adoptive applicants. We act in the best interests of te tamaiti in the transition from birthparents to the new whānau or family.
Adoption
Facilitating the adoption of a tamaiti from overseas
We help adoptive applicants explore what’s involved in parenting a tamaiti from overseas. We provide information and can facilitate adoption of an unknown non-relative tamaiti from another country if NZ has an intercountry adoption programme with them.
Care
Completing police vetting
We police vet people, such as caregiver or adoptive parent applicants, mentors or volunteers, to help us assess their suitability.
Care
Setting up a care arrangement in Australia – process guidance
Australian care arrangements need robust assessment and planning that articulates the immediate and long-term needs of tamariki or rangatahi and the proposed caregiver. It takes 3–6 months to gather sufficient and quality information for decision-makers.
Interventions
Tamariki and rangatahi with Family Court orders in place
When we're working with tamariki or rangatahi and their whānau or family, we need to be aware of any Family Court orders that are in place and understand what they mean.