63746 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

63746 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: Further to 59679 (2024), did Oranga Tamariki Supervisors, Site Managers, and Caregiver Recruitment and Support Managers both approve and lead provisional caregiver placement assessments in cases where a Caregiver Recruitment and Support caregiver social worker did not, and if so, what is the oversight mechanism for the initial assessment?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that their practice guidance states that provisional caregiver assessments are led by Caregiver Recruitment and Support Social Workers. However, when there is an urgent need and this is not practical (such as after-hours situations), other qualified roles are able to complete a provisional caregiver assessment. Provisional assessments must be reviewed and approved by a manager or supervisor, and this cannot be the same person who completed the assessment. All provisionally approved placements must go through a full assessment process as soon as possible thereafter. Full caregiver assessments are undertaken by a Caregiver Recruitment and Support social worker.