Care Support Taituara Tuhono

We provide 24/7 support for tamariki and rangatahi referred by Oranga Tamariki. Our services cater to infants through to 18-year-olds, offering assistance that ranges from short-term support to longer-term care. Committed to Youth Work best practices and prioritising the voice of the child, Care Support is an evidencebased service designed to foster meaningful connections and lay the groundwork for long-term stability.

About the Programme

Our Services

  • School Runs and Transport
    We assist tamariki and their caregivers with safe, reliable transportation:
    • School Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups: Transporting tamariki to and from school on behalf of caregivers and Oranga Tamariki.
    • Inter-City & Suburb Travel: Facilitating young people’s travel for whanau contact or social service requirements.
    • Tailored Arrangements: Supporting care plans with flexibility to develop interventions with caregivers.
  • Supervised Contact
    We help young people engage in safe, supported contact with loved ones by:
    • Ensuring emotional and physical well-being during supervised visits.
    • Actively monitoring and supporting tamariki throughout contact sessions.
    • Providing timely, professional reports summarising the outcomes of supervised visits.
  • Emergency Care Placements
    • Our team responds to short-notice emergencies at any time, day or night:
    • Caregivers and Reconnect Youth Workers provide immediate, tailored care for emergency placements.
    • Every placement is matched to the specific needs of the young person, guided by best-practice standards.
  • Residential House Support (Shift Cover)
    • Our trained staff work across Care & Protection and Youth Justice residences to:
    • Support Oranga Tamariki and partner NGOs throughout greater Auckland.
    • Provide skilled youth workers experienced in care facility operations.
  • Day Support or Supervision for Young People
    • Our Day Support Service offers immediate, structured supervision for young people during the day – no referral delays. Idel during transitions, care gapes, or when regular routines are disrupted.
    • Engaging, personalised day plans including creative activities, games, and outdoor exercise tailored to each young person’s needs.
    • Safe, consistent support with one-on-one guidance from trained Youth Workers to promote stability, wellbeing and confidence.

Who Can Use This Service?

Any Oranga Tamariki site within Auckland can access this service.

How to Make a Referral

During Business Hours
Request this service through the Oranga Tamariki Auckland Regional Casual Workers Bureau:

  1. Referrals must be made by Oranga Tamariki through the Northern Casual Workers Bureau on:
    Email: northern_casualworkersbureau@ot.govt.nz
    Phone: 09 913-1235 or 09 909-4521
  2. Once received, our coordinators determine the best-matched Care Support workers for the job.
  3. Jobs are assigned to workers with all necessary information to fulfil the young person’s care plan.

After Hours (24/7 Emergency Support)

After Hours

For urgent referrals outside regular office hours, contact Reconnect Family Services Te Ope Pirita:

Email: caresupport@reconnect.org.nz
Phone: 021 506 426


For after-hours requests, please call 021 506 426. Be ready to provide the following information:

    • Young person’s full name, age, and gender.
    • The time and location for arrival.
    • Details of any immediate risks or concerns.
    • Name of the Social Worker and Oranga Tamariki site involved.
    • Confirmation that all relevant information (e.g., All About Me & Care Plan) will be shared with Care Support.

Our coordinators require sufficient time to organise suitable out-of-hours workers once the request has been logged.

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