National Diploma in Whanau/Family and Foster Care (Level 6)

The National Diploma in Whanau/Family and Foster Care (Level 6) [Ref: 1147] is primarily designed for people who are experienced custodial carers for children and young people. It builds on the National Certificate in Whanau/Family and Foster Care (Level 4) [Ref: 1075]. The National Diploma is for carers who wish to progress beyond the National Certificate and develop higher levels of competency.

It is anticipated that most people who wish to complete this qualification will have completed the National Certificate in Whanau/Family and Foster Care. There are some unit standards in common between the two qualifications.

Carers provide whanau/kin care and/or foster care for children and young people who are placed with them by their own whanau or family, or agencies that have been approved under section 396, Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989. In some situations, carers may be providing respite care for children and young people placed with them by health service providers.

Carers with this qualification are able to: use interpersonal skills; develop relationships with families and whanau; engage in whanau hui and family meetings; manage safety issues; prepare a research proposal; research and apply knowledge of human development and health issues of children or young people in care; and respond to issues of abuse, neglect and violence. They can facilitate strategies to effect change in social policies, structures, or service delivery. They are able to participate in professional social services supervision, and integrate knowledge, skills, and values learning in whanau/family and foster care.

Carers with this qualification work within a framework for best practice informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and boundaries set by legislation and the protocols and policies of an agency approved under section 396, Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989.

At present there is no higher level qualification in Whanau/Family and Foster Care, but people who have completed this qualification could seek entry into other higher level qualifications on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.

Special Note

To enable candidates to obtain the underpinning knowledge, skills, and practice experience required for assessment against unit standard 21150 it is expected that assessment against that unit standard will take place after people have been awarded credit for the majority of the other unit standards required for award of the qualification.

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