Carer arrangements

Where parents of a child live apart and the child comes into the care of the other parent it is important to establish that the arrangements made have been agreed to by both parents before you include the child in the other parents benefit.

In some cases the arrangement between both parents may not be of a legal arrangement but the child has been placed with the other parent by mutual agreement.

You must obtain written proof of the new care arrangement. Written proof could be (but is not limited to):

• statement from the other parent
• court order or
• documentation from Oranga Tamariki

For more information see:

• Child comes into care

To include a child as a dependent child, the change of carer should be with the intent of permanency or at least capable of being a long-term arrangement.

For more information see:

• Shared care
• Split care
• Temporary care