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Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

Care and protection of children and young persons - Reporting of child abuse

18: Referral of care or protection cases to care and protection co-ordinator or youth justice co-ordinator

You could also call this:

"Telling someone who can help when a child needs care or protection"

Illustration for Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

If you think a child needs care or protection, the chief executive or a constable must tell a care and protection co-ordinator right away. The care and protection co-ordinator will then set up a family group conference under section 20. This happens when the child needs care or protection for reasons other than those listed in section 14(1)(c) or (e).

If the chief executive thinks a child needs care or protection because of something listed in section 14(1)(e), they can send the case to the right agency to deal with it. An enforcement officer might also think a child needs care or protection for the same reason.

The enforcement officer will tell a youth justice co-ordinator, who will talk to the enforcement officer and decide if a family group conference is needed, as outlined in section 247.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM149472.

Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parentingCrime and justice > Victim support
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"The boss of Oranga Tamariki can organise a family meeting to help you in certain situations."

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"Checking if a parent can keep a new child safe"

Part 2Care and protection of children and young persons
Reporting of child abuse

18Referral of care or protection cases to care and protection co-ordinator or youth justice co-ordinator

  1. If the chief executive or a constable believes, after inquiry, that any child or young person is in need of care or protection (otherwise than on the ground specified in section 14(1)(c) or (e)), they must immediately report the matter to a care and protection co-ordinator, who must convene a family group conference under section 20.

  2. If the chief executive suspects that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e), the chief executive may refer the matter to the appropriate enforcement agency.

  3. Where any enforcement officer believes, after inquiry, that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e), that enforcement officer shall forthwith report the matter to a youth justice co-ordinator, who after consulting with that enforcement officer, and if that enforcement officer believes that the making of an application for a care or protection order in respect of that child is required in the public interest, shall convene a family group conference in accordance with section 247.

Notes
  • Section 18 heading: amended, on , by section 10 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Advocacy, Workforce, and Age Settings) Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 98).
  • Section 18(1): replaced, on , by section 10 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Advocacy, Workforce, and Age Settings) Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 98).
  • Section 18(1): amended, on , by section 22(1) of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 31).
  • Section 18(1): amended, on , by section 137 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 31).
  • Section 18(2): replaced, on , by section 10 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Advocacy, Workforce, and Age Settings) Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 98).
  • Section 18(3): amended, on , by section 22(2) of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 31).