Caregiver Social Worker - Kaitaia

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Kaitaia; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Wellbeing focus

Training and development

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Northland seeks a Caregiver Social Worker to support caregivers and tamariki. You will partner with caregivers to provide tailored, nurturing care and work with the child’s Social Worker to ensure safe placements.

You will engage with whānau and community providers, develop creative strategies, and coordinate with other agencies to meet needs. A Social Work qualification and SWRB registration are required.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and SWRB registration.
• Annual practising certificate or eligible for registration.
• Proven resilience, critical thinking and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Partner with caregivers to provide tailored support and guidance.
• Collaborate with the child’s Social Worker and other agencies.
• Build relationships with whānau, caregivers and communities.
• Develop cohesive, individualized strategies to support tamariki.
• Identify issues and connect to resources and services.

Skills

Relationship management

Trauma-informed practice

Critical thinking

Cultural capability

Written & verbal communication

Driver's licence

Education

Social Work qualification (SWRB)

Annual practising certificate

Registration with SWRB

Job description

Utilise your skills in a role that makes a positive difference to the lives of tamariki and rangatahi.

Mō mātou | About us:

Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. At Oranga Tamariki, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centred, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures.

Mō te tūnga | About the role:

Caregivers take on a critically important role in the lives of tamariki who cannot live safely at home. As a Caregiver Social Worker, you will partner closely with our caregivers to help them understand the role they play at each stage of a child's journey through care. With your strong relationship management skills and commitment to providing tailored support, you will ensure that our caregivers are well prepared with the resources, skills and information that they need to provide nurturing, safe and stable homes for tamariki. As part of your work, you will build relationships with and support whānau and non-whānau caregivers, emergency and respite caregivers and long‑term caregivers.

The role of a Caregiver Social Worker is varied and deeply rewarding, with the opportunity to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to your community. You will work as a team with the child's Social Worker to identify key or underlying issues and develop creative, individually tailored strategies that provide cohesive support from all angles to facilitate great outcomes for tamariki who need caring for. Where required, you will also work with other agencies, community groups and providers to ensure the needs of our caregivers are met. This role may also be required to provide support across the wider Gisborne region.

As this role is a Social Worker position, not Caregiver, you must hold a Social Work qualification and be registered with SWRB.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring:

• A recognised Social Work qualification by the Social Worker Registration Board (SWRB)
• Registration with New Zealand's Social Worker Registration Board and an annual practising certificate (or the ability to gain registration with the SWRB)
• Demonstrated resilience, critical thinking and problem‑solving techniques
• Upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and demonstrating this in practice
• Knowledge of National Care Standards
• Passion and vision for caregivers and what they need to succeed
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Well‑developed written and verbal communication skills
• A valid and clean New Zealand's driver's licence

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

Annual remuneration for this position starts between $81k and $97k dependant on experience, with tenure‑based progression steps above this range.

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. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way.

This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz /

Applications Close: 1st November 2026

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.