Abstract
This report outlines findings from a mixed methods, qualitative core process evaluation of a joint decision-making process between Oranga Tamariki and a community Māori organisation. The forum, known as the tēpu, is a collaborative process established to triage and respond to reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki. The methods reflected kaupapa Māori and participatory research principles focused on tino rangatiratanga, whakawhanaungatanga, utu, and continuing co-production, to ensure processes and findings were aspirationally resonant and culturally aligned. Multiple meetings, interviews and focus groups were used to form relationships and qualitatively understand the perspectives of key participants. Statistical data were obtained from Oranga Tamariki to show key descriptive trends. Qualitative analysis was both deductive and inductive thematic analysis, to answer the research questions and generate unexpected insights from the data. Key findings are that information depth is improved because community workers hold extensive knowledge of local whānau and their context, leading to more accurate appraisals of relational belonging, risks, protective factors and needs. Families receive immediate informal support, and are perceived as more likely to engage voluntarily with workers from a community agency. This helps de-escalate families, reduces stigma and re-reports to the child protection system, engages families in sustainable change, and helps them access key resources. The tēpu is enabled by relies on strong relationships and shared aims between all levels of the statutory and community agencies. A policy context focussed on devolution, and relational leadership were other key enablers. Key challenges include the significant time investment involved, which challenges organisational capacity and consistency of attendance. Establishing norms around the risk threshold that determines who should take responsibility for each case can be difficult, with the most tension around moderate risk cases. Due to information-sharing challenges, the statutory agency may receive and retain information for some time before making it available to the community. Developing joint practice approaches and more expansive interpretations of privacy legislation has helped ameliorate these concerns. Societal threats to further development are the current neo-liberal, anti-Indigenous rights political context that may reduce access to authority and funding for Māori community agencies.