Kaitiakitanga

This involves connecting with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others by developing and attending to relationships in ways that generate a shared understanding of the lived experience of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau and their aspiration for oranga.

This supports us to make decisions and co-develop a plan.

• When I maintain an oranga focus I don’t lose sight of harm and risk of harm or become risk saturated.
• I am relational, inclusive and restorative in my practice with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others​ and consider the impact I may have on them.
• I work with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others to define our different roles and tiaki responsibilities in order to understand what is impacting oranga​.
• As a responsible kaitiaki, I am transparent and create an environment where we can have courageous and sensitive conversations ​about harm and risk of harm.
• I am supportive and non-judgemental when seeking understanding from tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others.
• I prepare and work with compassion and humility so that tamariki, rangatahi and whānau can feel comfortable to share their story with me​.
• When I make a mistake with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau or others I take responsibility for it and understand that this creates a space for restoration.
• ​​I work to understand how the roles of different people within the whānau and whanaungatanga networks protect, keep safe, support and sustain tamariki, rangatahi and whānau oranga​.
• I talk with tamariki and rangatahi to see who they view as safe people in their lives such as whānau, friends, whanaungatanga networks.
• I remember that I am manuhiri in the homes and lives​ of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
• I can confidently and respectfully share my professional reasoning and understanding with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others​.
• I use legislative principles and my professional obligations to ensure the rights and voices of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau are upheld.

This involves working with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others in ways that minimise barriers and facilitates the participation and co-development of plans to achieve an agreed outcome.

• I don't stop looking for whānau and whanaungatanga networks to support the pursuit of oranga​.
• I actively seek out opportunities for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to lead their planning; and support them if and when they need it​.
• I ensure the views of tamariki and rangatahi are informing our plans​.
• I am tika and pono in my practice with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others when we are planning together​.
• I ensure our plans include supporting and strengthening of whanaungatanga networks to increase safety and sustain change.
• I work with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau to create plans that show their kaitiaki responsibilities​.
• My approach to my mahi is inclusive of others such as hapū, iwi, partners​.
• I am oranga-focused in my mahi and act in ways that support whānau to achieve sustainable change​.
• When acting with whānau I am humble but strong in my advocacy, we are all kaitiaki of change​.
• I support the whānau to identify and navigate the different roles and responsibilities within the whānau and whanaungatanga networks.
• I don't stop looking for blockers and barriers for whānau and ways to minimise these.
• I am responsive and can shift my thinking when I hear new information.
• I am humble and take accountability when I make a mistake – I work this through with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others.
• I work with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau knowing the power imbalance I hold, and I work in relational, inclusive and restorative ways to navigate this.
• I am clear with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau about my and others’ roles, obligations and organisational constraints.

This involves reflecting with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others to learn about their journey by identifying successes and challenges, solutions for maintenance and to celebrate.

• I regularly check in with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others about the different roles and responsibilities – knowing that these can change at times​.
• I reflect on the different ways we can strengthen roles within whānau to support sustainability​.
• I reflect on how I have sought to highlight that whānau hold knowledge and solutions and I am there to support and facilitate this​.
• I understand that it can be challenging working from a te ao Māori position – it is not a natural way of thinking for some, but I am committed to the journey​.
• I practice empathy and think about how it would be for me if I were in the shoes of tamariki , rangatahi and whānau.
• I check in regularly with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau making sure they are okay and feeling safe​.
• I set regular times with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others to reflect on our working together to enhance oranga.
• I am aware of my privilege and how this can impact the journey of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, and I can discuss this with them​.
• I reflect on the power my position holds and how I have discussed this with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others.
• I recognise and seek support when I need it to meet my professional obligations.