Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Whānau Āwhina Plunket; Waikato; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Ongoing learning and cultural develop.

Employee wellbeing programme including

Job summary

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is seeking an experienced Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our online perinatal wellbeing service focused on supporting whānau in the Waikato region. This is a full-time, fixed-term role until 31 January 2028.

The pilot service provides evidence-based mental health support to families with babies and young children in a flexible virtual format. You will lead triage and risk assessment, conduct comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, and manage cases.

Qualifications

• Registered and experienced mental health professional with current registration.
• At least five years’ practical experience delivering mental health services.
• Experience with perinatal or infant mental health is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead triage and risk assessment of referrals.
• Provide comprehensive assessment, therapeutic support, and care planning.
• Case management and coordinate with a multidisciplinary team.
• Deliver therapeutic conversations and facilitate workshops/group programmes.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and guidance to a small team.

Skills

Registered mental health professional

Leadership experience

Digital/virtual service delivery

Education

Level 7 degree in relevant field

Tools

Virtual service delivery tools

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

At Whānau Āwhina Plunket we are looking for an experienced Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our online perinatal wellbeing service, focused primarily on supporting whānau in the Waikato region. This is a full time, fixed term role until 31st January 2028. This pilot service supports whānau with tamariki aged from birth to five years who are experiencing mild to moderate distress, anxiety or depression. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide accessible, evidence‑based support that strengthens mental wellbeing, parenting confidence, resilience and the parent‑infant relationship.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will be a registered and experienced mental health professional who can build trust with whānau and provide culturally safe, mana‑enhancing care in a virtual environment.

As the senior practitioner within the team, you will lead the triage and risk assessment of referrals and provide comprehensive assessment, therapeutic support, care planning and case management. You will work directly with individuals and whānau through therapeutic conversations and facilitate workshops and group programmes. You will also provide day to day leadership, coaching and professional guidance to a small team of support workers, helping ensure the care we provide is safe, effective and of a consistently high quality.

You Will Bring

• A recognised Level 7 degree qualification in psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, social work, counselling or another relevant discipline
• Current professional registration and certification in accordance with the requirements of your registration board
• At least five years’ practical experience delivering mental health services
• Experience or specialist knowledge in perinatal or infant mental health, ideally
• Experience using evidence based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Solution Focused Therapy
• Leadership experience, with the ability to coach and support others
• Experience coordinating or facilitating workshops and group programmes
• A demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally safe practice and equitable health outcomes
• Confidence using technology to connect with and support whānau; experience providing virtual services would be an advantage
• A current full New Zealand driver licence and the ability to complete a satisfactory Police vetting check.

Ngā hua mahi o Te Whānau Āwhina | What we offer

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is the largest service in Aotearoa supporting the health and wellbeing of tamariki under five and their whānau. We are committed to making a meaningful difference for whānau and ensuring every pēpi and tamaiti has the opportunity to thrive.

In This Role, You Will Have The Opportunity To

• Help shape an innovative new perinatal wellbeing service
• Work alongside a supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Provide meaningful clinical support to whānau during an important stage of their lives
• Flexible working arrangements that support balance and connection.
• Ongoing learning and development, including cultural development.
• Additionalbenefits through our employee wellbeing programmeincluding Fitness Passport.

Our values of Māia, Tūhono, Manaaki and Māhaki guide how we work together and how we support whānau.

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of pēpi, tamariki and their whānau/family. We have committed to adopting a pro-equity approach where we give life to Te Triti o Waitangi principles of tino rangatiratanga, partnership, active protection, equity and options in our mahi/work to ensure healthy tamariki, confident whānau and connected communities.

This journey is creating exciting career opportunities - If you would like to contribute to the important mahi we do, nau mai, haere mai.