Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, South Island Eating Disorders Service

Canterbury District Health Board; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in New Zealand seeks a Family Whanau Peer Support Worker. This role connects families with support services for those dealing with eating disorders. Responsibilities include improving communication and outcomes for patients and their families. Ideal candidates have personal experience with eating disorders and a commitment to supporting diverse cultures.

Qualifications

• Willingness to complete relevant education or qualifications.
• Commitment to ongoing self-development.
• Experience working with diverse cultures, especially Māori and Pasifika.

Responsibilities

• Connect with families of tangata whai ora in treatment.
• Bridge communication between clinicians and whanau.
• Support family members in their journey towards wellbeing.

Skills

Facilitating groups

Ability to work with diverse cultures

Organizational skills

Positive and encouraging attitude

Confidentiality

Education

Relevant education or qualifications

Job description

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Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, South Island Eating Disorders Service

• Fixed Term part time (20 hours per week), to 30 June,2026
• Brand new role aimed to improve the experience for tangata whai ora and their families

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principlesof Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system thatserves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

Asa Family Whanau Peer Support Worker, you will connect with families and whanauof tangata whai ora who are in treatment with the South Island Eating DisordersService. You will utilize your personal livedexperienceofsupporting someone with an eating disorder and theirjourney towards wellbeing to inspire other families and whanau as they support their family and whanau member in their own journey to wellbeing.

This is a new role which is aimed to improve the experience for tangata whai ora and their families and whanau as they support their family/whanau member on their treatment journey through our service.

The role will act as a bridge between clinicians and families and whanau to improve communication and clinical outcomes. Pathways to care and access to care for tangata whai ora and their families and whanau will improve, and this will have a beneficial effect on their experience while they are in the service.

Families and whanau have an important role to play in the treatment and recovery for people who have an eating disorder. This role is a first in New Zealand for services specialising in the treatment of eating disorders and is an exciting opportunity to explore and develop ways to enhance the relationships between families and whanau and the treating team, with a view to improving and maximising outcomes for tangata whai ora.

Given the important role families and whanau play in supporting their family member and their direct involvement in treatment we anticipate they will feel supported while they walk alongside their family whanau member.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Our clinical team is a multidisciplinary team providingevidence-based treatment to tangata whai ora who have an eating disorder. Weoffer inpatient treatment through our ward, Whangai Aroha, as well as communitybased treatment. We are a regional service with responsibilities for supportingclinicians throughout the South Island in providing care to people who have aneating disorder.

About you

You’ll bring your own knowledge and experienceofsupporting someone with aneating disorder to the role, and we ask that you tell us about your journey inyour cover letter.

• A willingness to complete any relevant education or qualifications
• A commitment to on‑going self‑development
• Experience and willingness to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially Māori and Pasifika communities and their whānau
• A willingness to work alongside clinicians in a constructive and positive way to support the journey of tangata whaiora and their whanau
• Skilled in facilitating groups or have a passion to learn the skills
• Be a positive and encouraging person with the ability to role model how to move forward supporting this journey to wellbeing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to organise and plan workload
• Must have a current full New Zealand driver's licence

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuringexcellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce thatis diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand andservice our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori,Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by Friday 21st November. If you have any questions about the role, please contact manager name and email.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.