Barnardos
compliance with the National Care Standards Regulations
For the period covered by this report, Barnardos had fewer than six in its custody and care. It also has a number of and rangatahi in its day-to-day care, for whom custody remains with Oranga Tamariki (shared care).179
Rangatahi in the custody and care of Barnardos are settled and well supported by their caregiver, maintain regular contact with their extended and have made progress in their education and life skills. Rangatahi were supported to express their views and to make important decisions about their education, their identity and their care and support arrangements as they transition towards adulthood.
As in previous years, Barnardos has given us examples of its compliance with the in a summary report and considers itself fully compliant with the NCS Regulations.
The following summary of compliance with the NCS Regulations is taken from the information provided by Barnardos.
Needs assessments, plans and visits
Barnardos has provided evidence of needs assessments and plans being carried out for the in its custody and care.
Support to address needs
Barnardos has evidence of meeting the educational needs of the rangatahi in its custody and care.
Support has been provided to rangatahi to study
towards tertiary level qualifications and to progress their education over a range of subjects in 2024/25. Barnardos and Oranga Tamariki jointly funded a therapeutic, home-based educational programme to meet individual needs. This included helping rangatahi to learn key skills needed to secure employment such as CV writing skills.
Barnardos has provided evidence of meeting the culture and identity needs of rangatahi in its custody and care. Rangatahi maintain regular contact with their and are supported to explore and express their identity. Important records of memories, milestones and whānau photos are kept by and for rangatahi.
Barnardos has also taken steps to meet the health and disability-related needs of rangatahi.
Caregiver (kaitiaki) and care placement assessment and support
Caregiver support plans are in place, identifying specific needs and actions required to help caregivers to meet the needs of rangatahi in their care. Caregivers are approved by Barnardos and undergo safety checks every two years or as required.
Supporting tamariki to express their views and contribute to their care experience
Barnardos gave several examples of including rangatahi voice in decision making. These examples were related to identity, education, disability, care placement and transitioning to adulthood.
Supporting tamariki to transition to independence
Barnardos provided good evidence of how it helped rangatahi to be ready to transition to independence. Rangatahi were actively engaged with this process and informed of the support available to them through the Transition Support Services (TSS).
Rangatahi made their own decision to decline TSS. Rangatahi received support to develop independent living skills through a therapeutic, home-based educational programme jointly funded by Oranga Tamariki and Barnardos. Rangatahi were referred to appropriate services to meet their needs after leaving formal care. Barnardos and caregivers will continue to provide some extended support to rangatahi who will be leaving Barnardos custody and care in 2025/26.
Practice improvements
During the reporting period, Barnardos continued to embed several practice improvements relating to custody and care. These include quality assurance processes, workforce capability, an update to the Barnardos Children’s Charter, self-audit tools and improved funding data.
Barnardos has provided evidence of compliance with the .
Barnardos has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting to transition to adulthood.
179 Compliance with the for and in shared care is discussed in our assessment of Oranga Tamariki compliance with the regulations. Shared care is where Oranga Tamariki has care or custody of tamariki and rangatahi and is legally responsible for their day-to-day care but where a provider is contracted to care for tamariki and rangatahi (in a group home or other setting that it staffs) or to support caregivers to care for tamariki and rangatahi.