Ending Violence, Building Hope

Ko Dandelion Ahau Responsive Practice Training

A transformative 3-day professional development programme for practitioners working in family harm, child protection, social services, and community sectors.

Developed through lived experience and frontline practice, this training challenges traditional thinking and equips practitioners with practical tools to strengthen engagement, accountability, and outcomes for whānau.

Day One: The Dandelion Framework in Practice

Explore the Dandelion Framework and learn how to apply its principles in real-world practice. Build self-awareness, strengthen professional accountability, and develop approaches that support safe, culturally responsive, and meaningful engagement with whānau.

The Dandelion Framework is grounded in five key principles:

• Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship): Understanding your responsibility as a practitioner—recognising that every interaction is an opportunity to plant seeds of hope that can carry through generations.

• Karakia (Connection & Guidance): Strengthening awareness of guidance beyond the physical, supporting clarity, purpose, and intention in practice.

• Ko Wai Au (Who Am I): Building self-awareness by recognising how your thoughts, emotions, values, and experiences influence your responses and decision-making.

• Ko Wai Koe (Who Is in Front of Me): Deepening understanding of the individual and whānau you are working with—honouring their story, strengths, and journey without judgement.

• Aroha (Love in Action): Learning how presence, compassion, intention, and authentic connection can break down barriers, build trust, and uplift others.

Day Two: Lived Experience – Where Services Have Got It Wrong

Gain insight into the real impact of systems and service responses. Through honest reflection and lived experience, participants will explore barriers to engagement, challenge assumptions, and strengthen their understanding of what truly supports change.

Day Three: Practical Tools for Effective Whānau Engagement

Leave with practical resources, proven engagement strategies, communication techniques, and tools that can be applied immediately to strengthen relationships, build trust, and support positive outcomes for whānau.

Who Should Attend?

• Social Workers

• Family Harm Practitioners

• Child Protection Professionals

• Community and NGO Workers

• Corrections Staff

• Iwi and Māori Service Providers

• Anyone working alongside whānau

What You'll Gain

• A practical, kaupapa Māori-informed framework for family harm practice

• Insight from lived experience and frontline realities

• Improved engagement and communication skills

• Tools to support whānau wellbeing, safety, and positive change

• Greater confidence, reflection, cultural responsiveness, and accountability in practice