Open Home Foundation

Open Home Foundation had 62 tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary in its custody in 2024/25, four fewer than last year.

The number of tamariki and rangatahi entering Open Home Foundation custody has increased slightly each year for the past three years. The majority who exited Open Home Foundation custody were rangatahi transitioning to adulthood. Six exited in this reporting period.

Similar to last year, the majority of tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody are aged over 10 (87 percent). Most of the tamariki and rangatahi identify as NZ European (69 percent) and almost half identify as Māori (48 percent). About half (45 percent) of the tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody are disabled.¹⁷⁶

The relatively low number of tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody means changes related to only a few tamariki or rangatahi over a year can make a difference to its overall compliance.

In this reporting period, we had fewer engagements with Open Home Foundation. This is because there are fewer tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody in the three regions we monitored. There are seven tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody in the Bay of Plenty and Greater Wellington regions and none in Te Tai Tokerau. This is compared to 33 tamariki and rangatahi in the regions we visited in the previous reporting period.¹⁷⁷

Last year, we reported that Open Home Foundation had introduced a new assessment approach, the Tamaiti Assessment and Plan (TAP). This replaced its previous Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment and is intended to better capture actions and demonstrate NCS RegulationsCloseNCS Regulations
(National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 View the full glossary compliance. Open Home Foundation told us TAP was informed by te ao MāoriClosete ao Māori
The Māori worldView the full glossary and responded to feedback from social workers that the CANS assessment was time-consuming, unhelpful and not as meaningful as could be. We heard from one kaimahi about the link between a strong assessment tool and being able to make a really good plan.

“It’s really good to have a strong assessment tool and be able to make a really good plan and be proactive instead of reactive so we know what’s needed, and if there is a change, we know what needs to happen – there’s a plan and there’s reviews and we are working towards something.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Open Home Foundation data shows that it sustained last year’s compliance rates with most of Part 1 of the NCS Regulations. The views of tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary continued to be taken into account in 98 percent of assessments and 94 percent of plans.

In its response to our 2023/24 Experiences of Care in AotearoaCloseAotearoa
New ZealandView the full glossary report, Open Home Foundation made a commitment to improve compliance with the requirement for social workers to visit tamariki and rangatahi at the frequency set out in their plan. This year, 76 percent of tamariki and rangatahi were visited at the planned frequency – an improvement on 54 percent last year. Alongside this, the average overall amount of time social workers spent on visits increased. In this reporting period, 8 percent of plans did not identify how frequently the child should be visited (down from full compliance last year). However, as we heard from Open Home Foundation kaimahi, its policy requires tamariki and rangatahi to be visited at least once per month.

“Our policy in general is once a month [to visit tamariki] but that’s a minimum. So this young person is getting visited a bit more.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Two Open Home Foundation kaimahi spoke about Oranga Tamariki social workers visiting every eight weeks, and one kaimahi commented that eight weeks was not frequent enough for the safety needs of some tamariki and rangatahi.

“They have [the Oranga Tamariki] social worker coming to do their visits every eight weeks. It really impacts the child, eh. One of those kids last year disclosed being sexually abused and so plans have even been put in place for that child, but with no relationship with the random [Oranga Tamariki] social worker going in and how is that child going to be able to say it’s happening again? What’s in place to protect that child? I have no idea how things are for them. How are they going to share if they’re being hurt or abused in any way?” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Frequency of social worker visits to tamariki and rangatahi has improved

Identification of needs and inclusion in plans decreased

There was a 15 percent decrease in how well the needs of tamariki and rangatahi are identified in a TAP and a 12 percent decrease in how well tamariki and rangatahi needs are taken into account in their plan. Identification of health and disability needs were the areas that had dropped the most.

Open Home Foundation told us that decreased compliance is a result of staff vacancies and newer staff in some service centres.

There has been a decrease in compliance relating to needs assessments

Despite a commitment by Open Home Foundation to grow relationships with iwiCloseiwi
TribeView the full glossary and Māori organisations, the proportion of TAP assessments that took into account the views of hapūClosehapū
Sub-tribeView the full glossary and iwi was similar to last year (47 percent).

Despite changes to the TAP in 2024 to try to reduce duplication of work, Open Home Foundation continues to struggle to meet the six-monthly reviews of assessments and plans. While the TAP is shorter than its previous assessment (CANS), some social workers say the six-monthly reassessment is burdensome and seems like a “tick-box approach”. They expressed concern that meeting the NCS Regulations reassessment requirement takes them away from important work to meet the needs of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānauClosewhānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary. Open Home Foundation told us it intends to reformat the TAP to see if this improves things in the next reporting period.

Most tamariki and rangatahi spoke positively about their social workers

Like last year, in our engagements with tamariki and rangatahi in Open Home Foundation custody, most spoke positively about communication with Open Home Foundation social workers and how regularly they were visited. A few said they had a good understanding and were included in decision making about their plans.

“[I see Open Home Foundation social worker] like once a month.” CHILD

“He [explains things in the plan] well, I have a good understanding of [the plan].” RANGATAHI

“Usually, when [Open Home Foundation social worker] brings someone along [like a professional], my mum is also there. This means me and [Open Home Foundation social worker] can talk and then mum and the other person talk.” CHILD

A few kaimahi from Open Home Foundation told us about the importance of good plans, including how whānau are included.

“There is one tamaiti I am thinking of, we put a lot of mahiClosemahi
WorkView the full glossary into prevention of entry into care, but he needed to come into care for a short period of time. We made a whole year plan for his care and everything he needed. It was a plan that met all of his needs.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

“The planning is done with facilitating with the whānau rather than telling them what the plan is. We’d say, ‘This is what Oranga Tamariki is worried about and this is what the goal is’. And we’d ask, ‘How can we support you to do that [goal]?’.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Open Home Foundation kaimahi told us about how they “work together” with whānau.

“We talk to whānau about all the different agencies involved and support, to see how they understand all the people working with them. Then we use that information from whānau to work together. We let whānau know what information is being shared before we share with others. Working together with whānau is important.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Again this year, Open Home Foundation had high compliance with almost all the requirements for providing support to address assessed needs of tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary. High compliance continued for the most recent plan being actionable, social workers carrying out the actions set out in the most recent plan and evidence that the social worker is engaging with partner agencies and professionals to ensure the plan is being implemented.

One rangatahi told us how Open Home Foundation supports their needs and aspirations.

“I’m very active … whether it’s providing for me to follow my musical dream, which is being in an orchestra, and talking to counsellors and teaching me how to take the bus … [Open Home Foundation Social Worker] helps by providing funds, for example, before I bought my first [instrument], we were renting it first then Open Home Foundation provided funds for extra curriculum activities, and I got a bike they’ve provided for.” RANGATAHI

High compliance continued for support for culture, belonging and identity

We heard many examples from Open Home Foundation kaimahi and foster parents about the support they received for cultural connections and to increase cultural competency, including support for children learning te reo Māori. Open Home Foundation told us that all staff have been to a noho marae during the year, and we heard from several staff about it as a positive experience. One kaimahi reflected on the importance of the connections and another kaimahi talked about the cultural tool, Te Aho Takitoru, that they use with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

“But what is more important as Pākehā is to not make any assumptions about what culture means to whānau and being guided by them about what it means to them, then seeking support from others where needed. It is also important that we go to iwi and hapū of the tamariki and rangatahi they whakapapa to so that tamariki and rangatahi can be connected to their iwi and hapū. That connection is important.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

“Another tool we use is Te Aho Takitoru, and it’s a cultural tool anyone can use. I like the way it gives people hope and it’s a really powerful tool – there’s nine different categories we talk through in that model, and we invite [tamariki] to create a plan.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Several kaimahi spoke positively about being able to seek advice from Te Rōpū Māori, who taught kaimahi about Māori practice frameworks and supported them to “work in a culturally appropriate way”. This included support for non-Māori kaimahi to work with tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau.

A few kaimahi also acknowledged the commitment of leadership to te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“They [chief executive of Open Home Foundation is] always looking to ensure we have a focus on te Tiriti.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

“I really liked that, when this Government said they wanted to remove section 7AA [Duties of chief executive in relation to Treaty of Waitangi (Tiriti o Waitangi), repealed from the Oranga Tamariki Act], our CEO, said no matter what the Government does, we will honour the culture of any child we work with. Children need to know who they are, and we are going to value that, and I’m grateful for that.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

All tamariki and rangatahi are enrolled in early childhood education or school

Last year, we reported that Open Home Foundation had high compliance with National Care Standards education regulations. This has continued this year with 100 percent of tamariki and rangatahi (up to age 16) enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) or school.

“We had a toddler for a short time. His mum spoke Māori to him so we enrolled him at the local kōhanga reo.” FOSTER PARENT

There is continued improvement in obtaining education updates, although these are still missing for nearly half of tamariki and rangatahi

Compliance with requirements to obtain updates about attendance and to engage with the education provider has shown improvement this year but remains well below full compliance.

More needs to be done to address these areas of persistently low compliance in the past three years.

There is consistently good compliance with health requirements with the exception of dental care

All tamariki and rangatahi in the care of Open Home Foundation continued to be enrolled with primary health providers and to have access to health services in compliance with NCS RegulationsCloseNCS Regulations
(National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 View the full glossary requirements. Similar to last year, 77 percent of tamariki and rangatahi had an annual health check.

We heard from tamariki and rangatahi that they “had a doctor and a dentist”. One foster parent told us that enrolling tamariki with a doctor when they are new to a region can be a time-consuming process.

Like last year, the exception to this consistently good compliance with National Care Standards health regulations relates to annual dental checkups for tamariki and rangatahi aged over 2. This year, a similar proportion of tamariki and rangatahi aged over 2 had an annual dental check. Considering the long-term impacts of poor dental health, we will continue to look for compliance with the requirement for annual dental checks.

There has been no improvement in obtaining annual dental checks for tamariki and rangatahi

Similar to last year, 81 percent of tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary in Open Home Foundation custody were placed with fully approved caregivers.

There were improvements in some areas of persistently low compliance

Last year, Open Home Foundation data showed a low rate of compliance with the requirement to closely monitor provisionally approved foster parents and whānauClosewhānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary carers, where tamariki are in their care, until they are fully approved. This had been an area of low compliance over the last three years, and we reported that improvement was required.

Open Home Foundation data this year shows that compliance with this requirement improved. While there is still room for improvement for full compliance, this is heading in the right direction.

More provisionally approved foster parents were closely monitored, but more than 40 percent were still not

The time taken to fully approve caregivers who were provisionally approved, and had tamariki in their care, is increasing, with 43 percent taking longer than 50 business days. Open Home Foundation told us the amount of training required for approval is a significant contributor to these delays, and it is looking at ways to address this.

Last year, Open Home Foundation data showed a low rate of compliance with requirements for social workers to visit foster parents at the frequency identified in their plans. This year’s data shows that, while there has been improvement, visits to foster parents occur at the planned frequency only 50 percent of the time (up from 38 percent). Only a quarter (24 percent) of those who were not visited at the required frequency were visited at least every eight weeks, down from 29 percent last year.

Open Home Foundation has acknowledged that this is an area of concern. As in previous years, it told us that funding constraints and workforce issues are barriers to addressing this and achieving higher compliance.

There has been improvement in the frequency of foster parent social worker visits, but this is still low

There continues to be a high rate of foster parent support plans meeting requirements

Responding to allegations of abuse

The NCS RegulationsCloseNCS Regulations
(National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 View the full glossary require that allegations of abuse and neglect are responded to promptly, recorded correctly and consistently, that tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary are informed of outcomes and that appropriate steps are taken, including a review of the caregiver plan.

Open Home Foundation responded to all allegations of abuse or neglect in the reporting period. Data shows that there were six allegations of abuse or neglect, three fewer than last year. The six allegations this year relate to six rangatahi. Reports of concern were made for each of the rangatahi. All six allegations were closed in the reporting year. There was no further action after two of the reports of concern were made – both were for historical allegations.

Plans were reviewed for half of the rangatahi with findings of abuse or neglect. This is much better than the previous year but still short of the requirement to review all plans after such a finding. All rangatahi were informed of the outcome following an allegation.

Open Home Foundation also told us that in two instances, safety plans were not made and implemented immediately after allegations. This was due to the policy and process not being followed and not initially recording these cases as allegations. Open Home Foundation told us that steps were taken to address these issues, either through a practice review or in discussion with the Practice Manager. Amendments were made to policies and processes as a result.

Open Home Foundation held a leaders’ huiClosehui
Meeting, gatheringView the full glossary in November 2024 where there were discussions about:

• early indicators that a placement is at risk of breakdown or of an allegation
• the safety nets that can be put in place to do more than respond to allegations and can also prevent them. Open Home Foundation’s Child Protection Policy has recently been updated and published on its website. ¹⁷⁸

All rangatahi were informed of the outcome of an allegation of abuse or neglect

Compliance with some regulation 69 requirements declined from the previous reporting period

In its response to our 2023/24 Experiences of Care in AotearoaCloseAotearoa
New ZealandView the full glossary report, Open Home Foundation acknowledged that work needed to be done on recording more clearly and accurately when there are allegations of abuse or neglect. However, this year, its data shows that both the correctness of information recording and its rate of taking appropriate steps in response to allegations have declined. More attention is needed on responding to allegations of abuse.

Almost all tamariki and rangatahi have records about their important life events

A record was maintained about important life events for almost all (98 percent) tamariki and rangatahi. All tamariki and rangatahi were also given information about how they can participate in decisions about their care and how their views will inform decisions about them.

In our engagements, Open Home Foundation kaimahi talked about listening to tamariki and rangatahi and making sure they have a voice.

“[We support whānau and tamariki having their voices heard by] talking to them, asking them and checking in with them about decisions and plans.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

“I think listening to tamariki voice [supports our decision making] … it is a balance of doing the right thing for them and listening to their voices as well.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

“We check in with the girls and do hands-on activity so they can have a voice.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Last year, we reported about new resources Open Home Foundation had introduced to help kaimahi record life events. This year, Open Home Foundation told us that their new CaringLife app is working well. The app stores photos, videos and important documents and helps ensure memories and life events are recorded for tamariki and rangatahi. The Open Home Foundation told us that the app also has good safeguards and privacy settings.

Mixed responses from tamariki and rangatahi about complaints

We heard mixed responses from tamariki and rangatahi about whether they knew how to make a complaint and whether they knew they had the right to make a complaint. Some said they did not know how to make a complaint, and some said that, if they wanted to complain, they would talk to their social workers or to their families.

“… go to formal complaint. I don’t think I’ve been taught, but I have no complaints.” RANGATAHI

“[Go to] Open Home Foundation Social worker [to make a complaint].” RANGATAHI

We also heard about the Mind of My Own app, which tamariki and rangatahi can use to express how they feel and to make complaints. We heard the app has not been used as intended and there has been low uptake. We heard this is because not all tamariki and rangatahi have access to a smart phone or device, and in some cases, foster parents do not want tamariki having access to smart phones and devices.

“[The Mind of My Own app is] still being used. I mean, I use it as part of when I meet with a child so it’s there, but I don’t know if it’s hitting what it was designed for. I think the idea is great, but a lot of foster parents are quite averse to children having access to devices. They are all aware they can contact us and they can express any concerns they might have or if they have anything to celebrate.” OPEN HOME FOUNDATION KAIMAHI

Tamariki and rangatahi are consistently not being given enough information in some areas

Part 4 of the NCS Regulations sets out a range of information that must be provided to tamariki and rangatahi. Open Home Foundation data shows that almost half of the information required is consistently provided, including the reason tamariki and rangatahi are in care, their plan and how often they will be visited.

Some required information is consistently not provided to tamariki and rangatahi when they enter care, including about their rights to give feedback and to make a complaint and about advocacy services that are available to them. Compliance needs to be improved in these areas.

Over the reporting period, 18 tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary in Open Home Foundation custody experienced a care transition. Six of these were rangatahi who transitioned to adulthood. Although this was only a small number, supporting transitions to adulthood is an area of strength for Open Home Foundation.

Open Home Foundation data shows high compliance with most Part 5 requirements.

There are high levels of compliance in transition planning involving tamariki and rangatahi and for current and prospective caregivers and whānauClosewhānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary.

There was also a high level of compliance with undertaking an assessment to identify transitionrelated support needs.

There was an improvement to assessments being made of transition-related support needs before the care transition took place.

However, there continued to be low compliance for tamariki plans being updated to reflect the support required to meet the assessed transition-related support needs. This is an area of compliance to be improved.

Transition support is generally good, but updating of plans need attention

Part 6 of the NCS RegulationsCloseNCS Regulations
(National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018 View the full glossary requires agencies to monitor their own compliance with the regulations.

Open Home Foundation told us that the intent of the NCS Regulations is that tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary needs are identified and met and that they receive support to have positive life outcomes. On this basis, Open Home Foundation considers that it is mostly in compliance with the NCS Regulations.

Open Home Foundation told us it is wholeheartedly committed to achieving the National Care Standards, is aware of the areas where it has fallen short in compliance and has plans to fix these areas. We agree with the view of Open Home Foundation that its approach to compliance with the NCS Regulations and continuous improvement is maturing.

Open Home Foundation says it has a focus on continuous improvement. It regularly reflects on practice and is now involving practice managers closely in this. Open Home Foundation says this is leading to higher levels of engagement and increased momentum in its practice improvement.

However, in some areas, compliance decreased this year compared to last year.

Open Home Foundation acknowledged that scores for quality TAP were considerably lower than last year, with one service centre scoring low consistently. This service centre had been impacted by vacancies and unexpected leave. Open Home Foundation told us that vacancies had now been filled.

Staff retention is high and staff surveys show high satisfaction rates. However, Open Home Foundation is concerned about the long-term sustainability of its workforce due to the announcement that pay equity will not be reviewed for 10 years. Open Home Foundation told us that, as social worker salaries at Oranga Tamariki start to rise, salaries at Open Home Foundation will start to fall behind. As a provider of statutory social work for tamariki and rangatahi in its custody and as a provider of services to Oranga Tamariki, Open Home Foundation also told us it wants its funding to acknowledge that.

176 The Open Home Foundation definition of disability is broad and includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
177 Canterbury, Upper South (Nelson and Marlborough) and Manawatū (and no tamarikiClosetamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahiCloserangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary in Open Home custody in Auckland).
178 ohf.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Child-Protection-PDF.pdf