Intensive Services Support Worker

New Zealand Health Group; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Health Group – Christchurch, South Island is seeking Intensive Support Services staff to join our Christchurch team. Our ISS provides highly individualised residential support for tamariki, rangatahi, and pakeke with complex support needs, grounded in Positive Behaviour Support and trauma-informed practice.

As an Intensive Services Support Worker, you will work with colleagues to help people live meaningful lives, build independence, participate in education and community activities,

Qualifications

• Experience delivering support to people with complex needs is desirable.
• Commitment to trauma-informed practice and Positive Behaviour Support.

Responsibilities

• Support people to achieve their personal goals and aspirations
• Promote health, safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes
• Assist people to participate in education, employment, training, and community activities where appropriate
• Encourage and strengthen whānau, cultural, recreational, and community connections
• Implement Positive Behaviour Support strategies and individual support plans
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to provide consistent and high-quality support
• Support people to develop daily living skills, social skills, confidence, and independence
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to planning and review processes
• Provide safe, respectful, and person-centred support tailored to individual needs
• Provide planned and unplanned leave cover across multiple ISS services
• Travel between services across from North Canterbury to Sydenham
• Support continuity of care during periods of annual leave, sick leave, training, and workforce shortages
• Work with a variety of teams and individuals while maintaining consistent support standards

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

New Zealand Health Group – Christchurch, South Island

At NZCL, our Intensive Support Services (ISS) provide highly individualised residential support for tamariki, rangatahi, and pakeke (adults) with complex support needs. We are committed to creating safe, structured, and supportive environments where people can build independence, develop life skills, strengthen relationships, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Our approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in Positive Behaviour Support. We work alongside whānau, guardians, healthcare professionals, educators, and other key stakeholders to provide consistent, high-quality support that enables people to live the life they choose. We are currently seeking Full-Time and Part-Time Leave cover support staff to join our Christchurch Intensive Support Services team.

These roles provide the opportunity to support people with complex behavioural, health, social, disability, and developmental needs across a variety of residential settings. Our Leave Cover Support Workers play a vital role in maintaining continuity of support by providing planned and unplanned leave cover across services located from Rangiora to Sydenham.

As part of our Intensive Support Services team, you will work alongside colleagues and professionals dedicated to helping people achieve their goals, participate in their communities, develop independence, and experience positive life outcomes.

About the Role | He aha te mahi a te Kaimahi Tautoko

As an Intensive Services Support Worker, you will support tamariki, rangatahi, and pakeke with complex needs to live meaningful and fulfilling lives while building confidence, independence, and self-determination.

You will:

• Support people to achieve their personal goals and aspirations
• Promote health, safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes
• Assist people to participate in education, employment, training, and community activities where appropriate
• Encourage and strengthen whānau, cultural, recreational, and community connections
• Implement Positive Behaviour Support strategies and individual support plans
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to provide consistent and high-quality support
• Support people to develop daily living skills, social skills, confidence, and independence
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to planning and review processes
• Provide safe, respectful, and person-centred support tailored to individual needs

For Full-Time Leave Cover positions, you will also:

• Provide planned and unplanned leave cover across multiple ISS services
• Travel between services across from North Canterbury to Sydenham
• Support continuity of care during periods of annual leave, sick leave, training, and workforce shortages
• Work with a variety of teams and individuals while maintaining consistent support standards

Who We're Looking For | Ko wai tā mātou e rapu ana

We're looking for people who are passionate about supporting others and committed to helping people achieve positive outcomes.

You will be:

• Compassionate, reliable, and dedicated to making a difference
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a range of environments
• Confident building positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries
• Resilient, calm, and capable of responding effectively in challenging situations
• Committed to learning and applying trauma-informed approaches
• Interested in Positive Behaviour Support and person-centred practice
• A strong communicator who works well as part of a team
• Culturally responsive and committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Able to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds
• Hold a Full New Zealand Driver Licence

For Leave Cover positions, you will also be:

• Flexible and willing to work across multiple services
• Able to travel independently between services from Rangiora to Sydenham.
• Comfortable supporting different teams, homes, and individuals as operational needs require
• Previous experience supporting people with intellectual disabilities, autism, neurodiversity, mental health conditions, or complex support needs is beneficial but not essential.

Transferable Skills Welcome

• Trades and construction
• Personal training and fitness industries
• Sports coaching, recreation, and outdoor education
• Youth work and mentoring
• Emergency services, security, or corrections
• Community services and support roles
• Leadership positions requiring resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication

These backgrounds often provide valuable transferable skills such as relationship building, mentoring, motivation, problem solving, de-escalation, teamwork, and effective communication that are highly relevant when supporting people with complex needs.

Why Join NZCL?

At NZCL, you will join a team that is passionate about supporting people to live great lives. Every day brings new opportunities to make a meaningful difference while developing your own skills and career.

Whether you are experienced in the sector or looking to apply your transferable skills in a rewarding new career, we would love to hear from you.

Do you want to receive recommendations for similar jobs?