Dr Braden Clark

Dr Braden Clark is a registered social worker and a recognised leader in Aotearoa’s social services sector, dedicated to enhancing the well-being of tamariki, whānau, and communities through reflective supervision, professional development, and trauma-informed practice. With extensive experience in child protection, family violence, and organisational development, Braden supports professionals and organisations in delivering impactful, resilience-building services.

Braden brings a well-rounded expertise to his role as the founder of Relate Services, where he offers reflective supervision, trauma-informed assessments, parenting assessments, and professional training. His approach equips social workers, leaders, and teams with the skills and insights they need to navigate complex cases, build reflective practice, and foster a culture of learning and well-being within their organisations.

Braden's doctoral research explored how child protection social workers understand and address childhood adversity through a neurodevelopmental approach. This informs his work with both individuals and organisations seeking to deepen their trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Braden’s career has included working with children and families and was Kaiwhakahaere Chief Executive for the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), where he led the development of the ANZASW Supervision Strategy and initiatives that strengthened the profession. Currently, Braden works part-time as the Business Development Manager at ECLIPSE Family Violence Services, where he leads training, consultation, and stakeholder engagement to advance whānau safety across sectors.

Relate Services also provides organisational consultation, supporting agencies to develop policies, training, and reflective practices that enhance both client outcomes and staff wellbeing. Through trauma-informed assessments and support, Braden offers organisations a structured approach to understanding and addressing complex client needs, ensuring that services are both high-quality and responsive.