Ara Whānau
Through our Ara Whānau programme, Home & Family provides holistic support to parents or caregivers that are ready to create positive change for their family.
Through wraparound social work, therapeutic services, and parent education, whānau are wrapped in the care – giving them the foundation they need to keep their child safe and help them thrive.
What We Provide:
At Home & Family, every parent or caregiver enrolled in Ara Whānau is partnered with a dedicated social worker.
Our social workers provide both practical and emotional support, helping whānau:
- Access services and resources they need
- Navigate challenges with guidance and care
- Feel heard, respected, and supported
This compassionate, wraparound support is the backbone of everything we do – ensuring families feel safe, empowered, and never alone on their journey toward positive change.
“Home & Family’s support helped by breaking down the issues, so they were manageable. By being non-judgemental and listening to both/all of us. Giving us great strategies which were workable and then tasks to reflect on. The environment was safe; it felt fine to be vulnerable and honest. It clarified why we had problems parenting and being together. We got to grips with our differing values.”
All parents are enrolled in our early-intervention, evidence-based parenting programme, SafeCare. Building on the parent’s existing skillset, SafeCare teaches parents to keep their child safe, healthy, and to interact positively with their child.
Using techniques such as roleplay and delivering the content in ways that are appropriate to the parent’s learning style, SafeCare is suitable for all parents or caregivers. It can also be adjusted to suit the needs of the wider whānau when working with Māori clients.
“The SafeCare programme’s taught me a lot. I think I’ve come a long way from what I did know to now. Without Hamish being in the picture when he came in, I don’t think I would be where I am now. I don’t think I would probably still have my boys.”
– SafeCare Parent
Why SafeCare?
With an evidence base spanning over 30 years, across 8 countries, and demonstrated effectiveness in working with indigenous communities, SafeCare provides a comprehensive and targeted approach to parent education. It stands as a robust and evidence-informed alternative to generic social work methods – offering a structured, culturally responsive pathway to sustainable change for families.
We’ve also conducted our own research. An independent analysis by Impact Lab (2023/24) found that SafeCare led to significant improvements in:
- Academic achievement
- Housing stability
- Physical and mental health
- Infant safety
- Addiction reduction
- Family violence and offending
- Lower risk of long-term care
These outcomes equate to more than $17,000 of lifetime social value per child – a powerful indicator of how SafeCare impacts the wellbeing of our tamariki and whānau.
Click here to read the full Good Measure Report.
Many of the parents we support are navigating the complex and lasting impact of intergenerational trauma. These deep-rooted experiences can present a significant barrier to them making the positive, sustainable changes needed to create a brighter future for their tamariki and whānau.
Through our adult therapy services, we provide parents and caregivers with a safe space to address the impacts of trauma, mental health and addiction challenges, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to create a nurturing environment. This support empowers them to give their child the strong start in life they deserve.
