Parents unable to care for child

In some situations, a parent may be unable or unwilling to care for their child. In exceptional circumstances a child may be considered as a dependant if the parents are unable to care for the child.

Some examples of when parents are unable to care for their child, include but are not limited to (this is not an exhaustive list):

• are deceased or otherwise cannot be found
• are physically incapable of caring for the child (for example because of a disability, alcohol or other drug dependency etc)
• are emotionally or psychologically unable to care for the child
• are financially unable to care for the child or
• there has been a breakdown in the child's family and the child's parents are unable to care for, or provide fully for the child

When parents are unable to care for a child, it is important to consider any possible care and protection concerns for a child or young person.

If MSD believes any child has been, or is likely to be harmed (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected, deprived or MSD has concerns about the wellbeing of the child, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.