The Ministry of Social Development has announced that there is a new template for agencies to request information from each other following an update of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. The changes improve the way personal information is shared for the well-being and safety of tamariki.

Changes to section 66 of the Oranga Tamariki Act include new provisions which came into effect from July 1, 2019 and give child welfare and protection agencies the ability to request, collect, use, and share personal information for purposes related to the wellbeing and safety of children and young persons.

Section 66C sets out the purposes for sharing information:

• preventing or reducing the risk of a child or young person being harmed, ill-treated, abused, neglected or deprived
• making or contributing to an assessment of risk or need in relation to a child or young person
• making, contributing to, or monitoring and supporting a plan for a child or young person where the plan relates to the activities of Oranga Tamariki
• preparing, implementing, or reviewing a prevention plan or strategy issued by Oranga Tamariki arranging, providing or reviewing services facilitated by Oranga Tamariki for a child or young person and their whānau
• carrying out functions in relation to a family group conference, a child or young person in care, or any care and protection function under Part 2 of the Oranga Tamariki Act.