“Wrap the cloak around the child”
Te Korowai Mokopuna is a special service offered through some of our Barnardos Early Learning centres. It provides an on-site dedicated social worker and wraparound support for whānau, meeting immediate needs and offering early help in a trusted, familiar environment - without stigma or delay.
Our Kaimanaaki Whānau Workers (social workers) are based at the centres, making it easier for whānau to connect with them. They take time to build trusting relationships with whānau, walking alongside them through life’s challenges.
Whether they're facing difficulties with housing, finances, parenting, wellbeing, or other challenges, they don’t have to go through it alone. Te Korowai Mokopuna provides practical support, programmes, and services that reduce barriers and gives tamariki strong foundations to thrive.
It’s about knowing there’s always someone they can turn to who understands, respects, and supports tamariki and whānau.
“The intention is that when we walk away from a family we leave them safer, that we leave them feeling more confident as parents, that they know if they need to they can get help and they’ll be treated respectfully, that they are not a problem… everything about Te Korowai Mokopuna engagement is around them being the solution.”
- Kaimanaaki Whānau Worker.
Feedback from whānau involved in Te Korowai Mokopuna shows that the initiative has had “overwhelmingly positive and life-changing outcomes for them and their families”. (Evaluation of Te Korowai Mokopuna, March 2018)
“I would be lost without Te Korowai Mokopuna, and if we couldn’t access this programme through Barnardos, my family would really be at a huge disadvantage. We would be lost without it. Thank you, Barnardos.”
- Dad of a family who accessed Te Korowai Mokopuna services.
“I come here all the time, in this place, yes for me…Have a cup of tea and breakfast but I didn’t actually need the service…I would come anyway…Now that I need the service I’m happy that it is here because I’m not wanting to go to a stranger or go outside and look for it, I’ve got someone that is available here for me that doesn’t have hundreds of clients.”
- Mum of a whānau who accessed Te Korowai Mokopuna services.
