CHILDREN’S TEAM ENTRY CRITERIA THRESHOLD FORM
Role of Children’s Teams
Children’s Teams deliver a co-ordinated multi-agency response to ensure intensive, timely and effective support is
provided to vulnerable children. The intention is to act early and plan preventative actions before a statutory
response is needed.
Children’s Team Entry Threshold
Children vulnerable to neglect and abuse with multiple and interrelated needs requiring comprehensive assessment
and access to a range of services to meet their needs.1
Definition of Vulnerability
Vulnerable children are children who are at significant risk of harm to their wellbeing now and into the future as a
consequence of the environment in which they are being raised and, in some cases, due to their own complex
needs. Environmental factors that influence child vulnerability include not having their basic emotional, physical,
social, developmental and/or cultural needs met at home or in their wider community. 2
Determining entry to a Children’s Team
Professional judgement will need to be applied when deciding whether or not a referral meets the Children’s Teams
entry threshold. It is critical that the best response is identified for the child:
1. Review the referral information
2. Assess the child’s needs using the Tuituia Vulnerability Checklist as a guide (pages 2-4)
3. Document the team’s decision as to whether the child and whānau require support from the Children’s Team
on the Referral Form.
Tuituia Checklist
Use the Checklist prompt questions to guide your decision making.
The prompts have been written based on the ideal state of a child’s needs being met. For each domain, prompts
have been listed to determine the extent to which the need is met.
Each prompt needs to be considered by the team and a team agreed rating needs to be assigned. Circle the
applicable box to indicate the agreed response. A rating scale number can be applied, in or above the circle, if the
Panel wishes to use the Tuituia scaling.
1
2
White Paper for Vulnerable Children 2012
ibid
Mokopuna Ora

Has a consistent, responsive, warm and secure relationship with
parent(s)/caregiver(s).

Has a consistent, responsive, warm and secure, relationship with
other significant adults and/or siblings/non-adults

Has access to regular health care and receives health care when
unwell.

Has diagnosed medical condition(s) and adheres to care plan.

Physical growth and development is within normal range for age.

Mental-emotional development is within normal range for age.

Has a positive sense of identity and culture.

Has a strong sense of self-belief and has hopes, dreams and
wishes for their future.

Demonstrates positive pro-social behaviours with no evidence of
harmful behaviours (such as, substance use of criminal).

Demonstrates empathy & respect for friends and peers.
Need being met in
sustainable way (79)
Need fully met (10)
Need beginning to
be met (5-6)
Unmet need (1-4)
Prompts to consider
Not Applicable
Domain
Don’t Know
Applicable to child/young person 0-17 years of age
Attachment
Health
Identity &
Culture
Behaviour
Friendships
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Learning &
Achieving

Cognitive development is within normal range for age.

Demonstrates interests and has goals and aspirations.

Self-care and independence/life skills are age appropriate.

Participates in formal education (ECE/School) or vocational training
employment.

Is achieving academically within normal range for age.
Education
Te Ao Hurihuri

Young person has strong networks of support –
community/social/cultural.
Network of
Support

Community services are available and accessible to young person.
Resources

Young person’s financial and housing needs are fully met.

Young person has knowledge and connections to own
family/whānau/ hapū/iwi that provide safe, stable and positive
guidance and support.

Young person has a stable base to call home and follows a routine.
Family/whānau/
hapū/iwi
Need being met in
sustainable way (79)
Need fully met (10)
Need beginning to
be met (5-6)
Unmet need (1-4)
Prompts to consider
Don’t Know
Domain
Not Applicable
Applicable to young person living independently
Kaitiaki Mokopuna
Caregiver capacity to nurture the wellbeing of the child
Safe parenting

Is physically and mentally healthy with no evidence of substance
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abuse.

Is resilient with no history of offending.

Has no history with child protection agencies.

Meets the basic care needs of the child and ensures the child is
protected from harm and risks.

Has positive relationships with household members and there is no
evidence of disharmony or violence.

Parent/caregiver and child have a reciprocal positive, respectful and
warm relationship that is consistent.

Has parenting knowledge and skills to support mokopuna's learning
and development and has the capacity to adapt and change as
required.

Endeavours to be a positive role model and guides and sets
boundaries and consequences which are appropriate to the age of
the child/young person.

Parent/caregiver is supportive of the child's learning and achieving.
Safety & Basic
Care
Relationship
with child/young
person
Skills &
Knowledge
Guidance &
Supervision
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Te Ao Hurihuri

Household members participate in social and community networks.

Household members are culturally connected and has cultural
and/or faith based values.

Household members access community services and resources
proactively to meet their needs.

There is enough financial resources to meet the family's needs and
maintain a basic quality of life.

Family have lived at the same address for 12 months or more.

Home environment is adequate for family size and composition and
the number of people in the home is stable.

Parent/caregiver is well connected and receives positive support
from extended family/whānau and/or the community.

Family/whānau has a history of positive family functioning.
Need being met in
sustainable way (79)
Need fully met (10)
Need beginning to
be met (5-6)
Unmet need (1-4)
Prompts to consider
Not Applicable
Domain
Don’t Know
Whānau, social, cultural and environmental influences surrounding the child
Networks of
Support
Resources
Family/whānau/
hapū/iwi
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