The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recognises that children (a), tamariki and rangatahi in care, or at risk of entering care, are a highly vulnerable group who require access to multidisciplinary supports and services. This Position Statement identifies broad principles that should guide governments, agencies, and services in meeting the mental health care needs of children in care. ‘In Care’ refers to services provided to children/tamariki up to the age of 18 who cannot live with their immediate family/whānau, includes kinship care, foster care and residential care.

This Position Statement should be read in conjunction with the RANZCP’s Professional Practice Guideline 15: The role of the child and adolescent psychiatrist, which informs psychiatrists, other medical and health professionals, service providers, governments, and communities in Australia and New Zealand about the role of child and adolescent psychiatrists, and how they can best meet the mental health needs of young people and their families/whānau. (From the document). Record #8198