How we keep children safe
When a report of concern is made for a tamaiti, we follow steps to assess the whānau and home situation and the safety of the tamaiti, before acting.
Our process
We look to provide early support for whānau and opportunities for them to care safely for their tamariki. We only consider seeking custody of a child in circumstances of serious harm and when no other option exists to keep the tamaiti safe.
Safe, stable and loving homes
It's then that we look to place a tamaiti with a member of their wider whānau, hapū, iwi, or family group or someone in the family network who is able to meet their needs. This includes providing a safe, stable and loving kāinga until it is safe to reconnect the tamaiti with their whānau.
Custody decisions
Decisions to seek custody are the most serious a social worker will ever make. They don't make these decisions alone but with professional supervision and using agreed tools and approaches.
Find out more about the steps we take in this section.
Published: November 4, 2019 · Updated: August 1, 2023