Assessment and planning
Initial assessment phase
We gather quality information and develop a chronology to build understanding of oranga. This supports decision-making about the best response and appropriate level of support for te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family.
Care
Assessing and approving caregivers and adoptive applicants
We need to build engagement and trust with people wanting to care for tamariki and support them through assessment and approval.
Interventions, Policy
Family group conferences for care or protection concerns
We support tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau or family to create their own solutions to address care or protection concerns through the family group conference process, from referral to review, including when a family group conference is reconvened.
Adoption, Policy
Adoption – Working with expectant parents
What we must do when expectant parents are considering adoption.
Disability
Support tamariki and rangatahi with FASD
Strengths and impairments vary from tamaiti to tamaiti but there are common traits and brain-based learning and support needs that we need to understand so we can successfully support tamariki and rangatahi.
Working with Māori
Hui ā-whānau
Hui ā-whānau are a whānau gathering facilitated using Māori methods of engagement and protocols (te reo me ōna tikanga). They are initiated and facilitated by either whānau themselves or Oranga Tamariki staff to engage whānau as early as possible.
Interventions
About family group conferencing
The family group conference brings together te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family, professionals and others to find ways to support the oranga of te tamaiti or rangatahi and consider the interests and impact of any offending on the victim.
Information sharing
Requesting information
The provisions make it clear we can request information if we believe it’s in the best interests of tamariki and will support their wellbeing or safety.
Assessment and planning
Core assessment phase
The core phase of assessment builds on the initial phase to deepen our understanding of oranga, establishing a picture of the safety, strengths, vulnerability and needs of te tamaiti or rangatahi and their whānau or family.
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.