Our Foster Care Services

Foundation care offers mokopuna a safe, nurturing home for a planned period of time. 

This may be needed while work is underway to safely reunite them with their birth whānau, while longer-term decisions are being made, or as they prepare for greater independence. 

Mātua whāngai provide the everyday care that helps a mokopuna begin to feel settled and secure. This includes creating routines, supporting education and health needs, building trusted relationships and helping them remain connected to their whānau, whakapapa and culture. 

Respite carers welcome mokopuna into their home for a short, planned period. This may be for a weekend, several nights or another agreed timeframe. 

Respite provides stability and continuity for mokopuna while giving their usual mātua whāngai or whānau time to rest, recharge or respond to other commitments. 

Although the placement may be brief, respite carers play an important role. They provide a calm, welcoming environment where mokopuna feel safe, maintain their routines and build another trusted relationship. 

Respite care can suit people who want to make a meaningful difference but may not be ready to provide full-time care. 

Emergency care is provided when mokopuna need somewhere safe to stay at short notice. 

Placements may begin with very little warning and can last from a few nights to several weeks while the next steps are carefully considered. Emergency mātua whāngai offer immediate calm, reassurance and stability during what may be an uncertain or distressing time. 

This type of care requires flexibility, patience and the ability to help a mokopuna settle without always knowing how long they will stay. 

Some of our emergency care programmes provide a structured roster. For example, carers may work on a three-weeks-on, three-weeks-off basis, supported by an on-call retainer, enhanced financial support, comprehensive training and access to help at any time. 

Some mokopuna need a higher level of individual support because of complex trauma, disability, neurodiversity or other additional needs. 

Specialist placements are carefully planned around the strengths and needs of mokopuna. They may be short-term, long-term, emergency or respite arrangements. 

Specialist mātua whāngai are often people with experience in education, healthcare, disability support, social services or other caring roles. However, professional experience is not always required. What matters most is the ability to remain calm, build trust, learn and work closely with the wider care team. 

Support may include: 

Many mokopuna in specialist care have experienced disrupted homes or previous placements. Steady mātua whāngai can give them the time, understanding and consistency they need to begin feeling safe. 

We provide wrap-around support, including 24/7 assistance, dedicated social work guidance, training, respite, therapeutic support and education advice.