Care and Protection Supervisor - Masterton

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Masterton is seeking a Care and Protection Supervisor to lead a team of social workers, providing mentorship and oversight in a fast-paced environment.

You will uphold mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga, manage complex cases, collaborate with partners, and advocate for tamariki to secure families and forever homes.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of social work teams or initiatives.
• Cultural awareness with understanding of Tikanga Māori.
• Full, current registration with NZ SWRB and recognized social work degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support social workers to improve practice quality.
• Advocate for tamariki to access resources and support.
• Complete safety checks and assessments for children, young people and whānau.
• Collaborate with community partners and state agencies to transition tamariki to family/forever homes.

Skills

Leadership

Cultural awareness

Verbal communication

Supervision

Decision-making under pressure

Team mentoring

Education

SWRB registration

Social work degree recognized by SWRB

Tools

Driver's licence

Job description

# Care and Protection Supervisor - Masterton at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Wellington## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this roleDo you want to make a positive impact on the lives of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau? Do you have the leadership, mentoring and supervisory skills to support a team of both experienced and growing social work practitioners?Then look no further!!Our Masterton site is seeking qualified and experienced Supervisor to join us on a permanent basis. Join us in making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.* **1x permanent, full time position available*** **Based in our Masterton site!*** **We offer a competitive salary ranging from $103,785.12 - $125,800.14, depending on experience****Mō te tūnga****| About the role**This role requires a passion to actively keep tamariki in the hearts and minds of everything we do. You will apply the principles of mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga to your practice, to ensure you are responsive to tamariki and whānau Māori. This role is fast paced and will require you to juggle many different scenarios at one time.It's more than a job, it's an opportunity to improve the lived experiences of tamariki and their caregiving communities. We recognise the importance of Kaimahi ora (staff wellbeing) and are committed to ensuring you receive regular supervision and take the necessary breaks needed to restore Oranga and wellbeing.* hear tamariki and rangatahi voices and support them or their family/whānau to make positive changes* work alongside various cultural groups and people from different backgrounds* complete initial safety checks and assessments on the child, young person, and family/whānau* work alongside partners in our community, non-government organisations and state sector agencies* transition children and young people back to their families/whānau or into their forever home* be an advocate on behalf of tamariki to ensure they have the support and resources needed to reach their full potential**Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring**Key requirements of the role include:* Success in leading and supporting other social workers and/or initiatives that improve the quality of social work practice* cultural awareness and an understanding of Tikanga Māori principles* full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB)* a social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB* a full, clean and valid driver's licence* Experience in planning, financial management, resource allocation and performance monitoring processes* Experience in complex politically sensitive environments* Strong line management or supervisory ability or potential* the ability to manage critical situations, make tough decisions under pressure and resiliency* excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience* Ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences and build and maintain rapport with others* Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture**Mō mātou | About us**Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:* We put **Tamariki** first* We believe **Aroha** is vital* We respect the **Mana** of people* We are **Tika** and **Pono*** We value **Whakapapa*** We recognise that **Oranga** is a journey Our purpose is to ensure that all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities where oranga tamariki can be realised. We believe that by getting involved early in their lives and showing love and care, we give children the best chance of growing into happy thriving New Zealanders.We are committed to putting children first, we believe aroha is vital, we respect the mana of people, we are tika and pono, we value whakapapa and we recognise that oranga is a journey.**Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you**We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow.To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/**Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply**Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact info\\[e-mail], applications close **24th September 2026!**