Fee for Service arrangements

Background

We have reviewed our approach to contracting social services. As a result, Oranga Tamariki intends moving Fee for Service arrangements to Outcome Agreements.

This change is intended to improve outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi by providing clarity of funding, consistency, and service expectations for providers as well as clarity around the role of Oranga Tamariki.

While we work through the transition from Fee for Service arrangements to Outcome Agreements, we have implemented changes to Fee for Service arrangements to ensure consistency in interim care arrangements and other services provided to tamariki and rangatahi.

Key changes

Oranga Tamariki has been applying these changes to all new fee for service arrangements since January 15 2024. These communications advise that these changes will apply to all future fee for service arrangements and include:

• Fee for Service Policy.
• Service Order.
• Standard Terms and Conditions, Fee for Service.
• Rates Cards for interim staffed care and resource workers.

The Policy provides guidance on how Fee for Service Agreements should be used. This includes when they should be entered into, how the agreements are applied, and what price should be set.

The Service Order describes the service being provided, and along with the Standard Terms and Conditions will form the Fee for Service agreement.

These changes only apply to Fee for Service arrangements, and do not apply to Outcome Agreements, bespoke contracting arrangements, or volunteer caregiver arrangements.

Next steps

All new Fee for Service arrangements will be subject to the changes outlined above.

We are aware of existing Fee for Service arrangements, which will require engagement with your Regional Maori, Partnerships, & Communities team, supported by Service Delivery to discuss a phased approach with the intention to bring them in line with the new Fee for Service Policy or to bring them into an Outcome Agreement.

You will also need to work with Oranga Tamariki on a Service Order or other written service description and provide GST invoices and Purchase Orders to receive funding.

If you have any questions or comments please email provider_questions@ot.govt.nz