CGRS Allied Support Workers - Waikato

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Paeroa; On-site; NZD 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in New Zealand is currently inviting applications for permanent Allied Support Worker roles. These positions provide essential operational support to frontline Social Work teams and respond to sustained service demand across sites.

As an Allied Support Worker you will assist Social Workers, coordinate caregiver training, support placement activities, and contribute to positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.

Qualifications

• Experience working in the community assisting or supporting people in need.
• Experience with Māori and/or Pasifika cultures.
• Experience dealing with emotional situations and being empathic to people's challenges and stresses.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work in collaborative peer and other stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Providing support across the region based on operational priorities and service demand.
• Supporting caregiver engagement, community outreach and caregiver recruitment activities.
• Coordinating caregiver training and supporting learning and development initiatives.
• Assisting with caregiver assessments, approvals, support planning and ongoing caregiver support.
• Supporting placement and matching activities through information gathering, caregiver profile development and placement coordination.
• Fostering positive working relationships with caregivers, whānau, community organisations and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Emotional resilience

Calm under pressure

Education

Social Services qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Oranga Tamariki have exciting new opportunities available for those who are looking to change up and develop their career pathways, making a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

These positions have been established to provide consistent and reliable operational support to frontline Social Work teams and to respond to sustained service demand across sites. Unlike previously advertised fixed-term roles, these permanent Allied Support Worker positions are intended to be a stable, ongoing part of Oranga Tamariki’s workforce, strengthening team capacity and continuity of support.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Allied Support Workers work under the direction and oversight of qualified Social Workers and supervisors, contributing to positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau by enabling Social Workers to focus on statutory requirements and professional practice.

The Allied Support Worker role is non-regulated and is not a Social Worker in training, or para-social worker. The position does not undertake social work activities and does not have a case load.

These roles support Caregiver Recruitment and Support teams with caregiver recruitment activities, caregiver support, training coordination, placement support and administrative activities that contribute to positive outcomes for tamariki , rangatahi and their caregivers.

Day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Providing support across the region based on operational priorities and service demand. This may involve travel across the region and occasionally outside the region.
• Supporting caregiver engagement, community outreach and caregiver recruitment activities.
• Coordinating caregiver training and supporting learning and development initiatives.
• Assisting with caregiver assessments, approvals, support planning and ongoing caregiver support.
• Supporting placement and matching activities through information gathering, caregiver profile development and placement coordination.
• Fostering positive working relationships with caregivers, whānau, community organisations and internal stakeholders.
• From time-to-time, work outside normal business hours may be required.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

This is a high-trust, safety-critical children's worker role, requiring sound judgement, emotional resilience, and a high level of reliability. We're looking for applicants with some of the following skills, experience and qualifications:

Experience:

• Working in the community assisting or supporting people in need.
• Working with Māori and/or Pasifika cultures.
• Experience in dealing with emotional situations and being empathic to people's challenges and stresses.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work in collaborative peer and other stakeholder relationships.

Skills:

• Well- developed written and verbal communication skills and effective interpersonal skills.
• Able to maintain a calm professional demeanour in emotionally complex situations, with the ability to maintain performance under stress.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to uphold the principles of Te tiriti ō Waitangi and demonstrate this in practice.
• Intermediate level of competence across the Microsoft Suite.

Qualifications/Licence:

• A recognised Social Services qualification is desirable.
• A clean, current full driver's licence is essential and a willingness to drive the Ministry's vehicles. ( Historic convictions may be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. We offer a competitive remuneration package starting at $68,371 to $75,501 as well as 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.

Applications close 5pm, Monday 21st September 2026.