High & Complex Needs Advisor

Christian Care Trust; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Christian Care Trust in Ōtepoti Dunedin is seeking a High & Complex Needs Advisor for Youth Services. You will work with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and professionals to support young people with high needs, using trauma-informed approaches.

Role emphasizes collaborative planning, behaviour support strategies, and crisis response. Travel to other regions may be required; on-call duties for crisis support are included. A relevant tertiary qualification is required, with experience in PBS/ABA.

Qualifications

• Experience applying Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) in youth services.
• Knowledge of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience developing or supporting behaviour strategies.
• Strong written communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to coach, guide and support teams in practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice to teams supporting youth with high and complex needs.
• Develop and review behaviour support strategies and plans.
• Collaborate with whānau, schools and other professionals.
• Support staff to use trauma-informed and PBS approaches.
• Help create safe environments for rangatahi to grow and build confidence.
• Contribute to crisis behaviour support when required.

Skills

PBS

ABA

Behaviour strategies

Coaching

Written communication

Education

Degree in psychology/education/nursing or related field

Job description

High & Complex Needs Advisor – Youth Services

Full-time | Ōtepoti Dunedin

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We’re looking for a warm, experienced and values-driven High & Complex Needs Advisor to join our Youth Services team in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

This is a role where relationships really matter. You’ll work alongside tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, support teams, schools and other professionals to help create safe, consistent and meaningful support for young people with high and complex needs.

You’ll bring a calm, thoughtful approach and be someone who can look beyond behaviour to understand what may be happening for a young person. You’ll help develop practical strategies, guide support teams and advocate for approaches that promote safety, connection, growth and positive outcomes.

Our approach is about walking alongside tamariki and rangatahi, recognising their strengths, aspirations and right to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Ko wai mātou | Who we are

At Community Care Trust Aotearoa, we believe in a world that values and celebrates diversity.

Our Youth Services support tamariki and rangatahi across a range of settings, including housing, individual care responses within 24/7 environments, and community-based support in homes, schools and the wider community.

Everything we do is guided by our values of respect, reliability, transparency and responsiveness, and our commitment to working in partnership to enable great lives.

He aha ngā mahi | What you’ll be doing

No two days will look exactly the same. You may be supporting teams to work through a complex situation, developing or reviewing behaviour strategies, meeting with whānau or other professionals, or helping ensure a young person’s voice remains central to their support.

You’ll also be involved in:

• providing specialist advice and guidance to teams supporting rangatahi and tamariki
• developing and reviewing behaviour support strategies and plans
• working collaboratively with whānau, schools and other professionals
• supporting staff to use trauma-informed and Positive Behaviour Support approaches
• helping create safe and consistent environments where rangatahi can grow and build confidence
• contributing to crisis behaviour support when required

This is a full-time salaried role, generally worked Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm. You’ll also take part in an on-call roster for Crisis Behaviour Support, with some flexibility outside usual hours when needed. Some travel to other regions may also be required.

Mōu | About you

You’ll have experience working alongside rangatahi within youth, disability, mental health or a similar setting, and a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice.

Just as importantly, you’ll be someone who builds genuine relationships, communicates clearly and stays calm and considered when situations are challenging.

You’ll bring:

• a strong understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• knowledge of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
• experience developing or supporting behaviour strategies
• confidence advocating for rangatahi in professional settings
• strong written communication and report-writing skills
• the ability to coach, guide and support others in their practice
• a relevant tertiary qualification

A degree in psychology, education, nursing or a related field is required, along with ideally at least one year’s experience in behaviour support or a similar area.

Ngā mea matua | What you’ll need

You’ll need a full, clean New Zealand driver licence, a current First Aid Certificate or willingness to complete one, and the legal right to work in New Zealand with at least 12 months remaining on your visa where applicable.

As this role works closely with tamariki and rangatahi, successful applicants will also need to complete the required safety and vetting checks.

Please note that we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday 18th September 2026.

Christian Care Trust – Christchurch, South Island