Social Worker - Care Placement Support

Barnardos Aotearoa; Auckland; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Supervision

Flexible work

Pay equity

Registration fees support

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Barnardos Aotearoa in Auckland is seeking a skilled, relationship-focused Social Worker to join the Care Placement Support Social Work service, delivered in partnership with Oranga Tamariki. This fixed-term, full-time role (40 hours per week) runs through to 1 September 2027 and is based onsite with the Waitākere team.

You will support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and caregivers to achieve safe, stable care arrangements, with emphasis on return-home and permanency planning, and you will produce

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and SWRB registration.
• Full, clean New Zealand driver's licence.
• Proven experience working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
• Ability to work independently with strong time management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and report-writing capabilities.
• Sound knowledge of care and protection practice, trauma and attachment.

Responsibilities

• Completing quality assessments and written reports to support planning and decision‑making.
• Working with parents and whānau, including where there is resistance or barriers.
• Understanding a person’s journey, strengths, challenges and hopes for the future.
• Supporting return home cases where tamariki may safely return to carers.
• Supporting long-term care cases toward permanency.
• Building strong working relationships with Oranga Tamariki, caregivers and whānau.
• Contributing to planning that supports stability, safety, connection and positive outcomes.
• Working in a trauma‑informed, child‑centred and culturally responsive way.

Skills

Social Work qualification

SWRB registration

NZ driver's licence

Experience with tamariki

Report writing

Time management

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Job description

Do you want to do more for tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa? We are seeking a skilled, relationship‑focused Social Worker to join our Care Placement Support Social Work service, delivered by Barnardos in partnership with Oranga Tamariki.

This is a fixed‑term, full‑time role (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday), through to 1 September 2027, offering the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, outcomes‑focused practice in a collaborative environment.

You will be employed by Barnardos while working onsite with the Oranga Tamariki Waitākere team for the duration of the fixed term. As part of this arrangement, you will be embedded in the day‑to‑day rhythm of the Waitākere office, while continuing to receive professional supervision, support, and connection through Barnardos.

In this role, you will support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, caregivers, and Oranga Tamariki kaimahi to achieve safe, stable, and positive care arrangements. The mahi will include supporting return‑home planning, strengthening relationships with parents and whānau, and assisting tamariki and rangatahi living in long‑term care to progress towards permanency, where this is in their best interests.

This fixed‑term role will suit a social worker who is confident working with complexity, able to build trust and strong working relationships, and who brings well‑developed assessment, analytical, and report‑writing skills to their practice. Your ability to contribute clear, well‑reasoned written work will support effective decision‑making for tamariki and rangatahi.

About The Role

As a Care Placement Support Social Worker, you will work alongside Oranga Tamariki kaimahi to provide social work support for tamariki and rangatahi in care, their whānau, and caregivers.

The Role May Include

• completing quality assessments and written reports to support planning and decision‑making
• working alongside parents and whānau, including where there may be resistance, mistrust or barriers to engagement
• taking time to understand a person’s journey, strengths, challenges and hopes for the future
• supporting return home cases where tamariki may be able to safely return to the care of parents or whānau
• supporting long‑term care cases where the focus is on helping caregivers and whānau move towards permanency
• building strong working relationships with Oranga Tamariki, caregivers, whānau and other professionals
• contributing to planning that supports stability, safety, connection and positive outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi
• working in a trauma‑informed, child‑centred and culturally responsive way.

To Excel, You Will Need

• A recognised Social Work qualification and full registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
• A full, clean New Zealand driver’s licence
• Proven experience working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• The ability to work independently, with strong time management and organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills, including confident report writing and strong computer literacy
• Sound knowledge of care and protection practice, trauma and attachment, and permanency planning
• Strong professional judgement, clear boundaries, and the ability to navigate complex situations
• The capability to build trusting relationships with individuals and whānau who may be cautious, resistant, or have had challenging experiences with services
• Well‑developed relationship‑building skills and the ability to work collaboratively with Oranga Tamariki and a wide range of community stakeholders
• A demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive, strengths‑based practice

About You

You are someone who can walk alongside people, listen deeply, and help identify practical and achievable ways forward. You are thoughtful and reflective in your practice, and confident translating your professional analysis into clear, well‑reasoned assessments and reports that support sound decision‑making for tamariki and rangatahi.

Culture

This work can sometimes be challenging. You will need resilience and a passion for working with youth, be flexible, have a positive attitude, and exhibit the ability to build strong professional relationships with young people, whānau/families, staff, and service providers. A comprehensive induction programme is undertaken with ongoing education, training, and support offered to all staff.

Embody Our Values

• Kotahitanga (unity): Cultivate a sense of belonging through meaningful relationships with tamariki, rangatahi, colleagues, and the wider community
• Mahi tōtika (excellence): Demonstrate unwavering integrity and purpose in all aspects of your work, striving for the highest standards of care
• Kaikōkiritanga (innovation): Drive positive change with creativity, constantly seeking new and effective ways to support tamariki and rangatahi
• Āta whakarongo (active listening): Let tamariki and rangatahi voices shape your approach, ensuring their perspectives are central to decision‑making
• Māiatanga (empowerment): Nurture growth and unlock potential in tamariki, rangatahi, and colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development

Why Choose Barnardos

• Join a respected NGO with over 55 years of impact in child welfare and advocacy
• Access ongoing professional development opportunities, including specialised training in trauma‑informed practices and the latest care methodologies
• Contribution toward SWRB registration fees on a pro‑rata basis, supporting your ongoing professional registration (negotiable)
• Enjoy family‑friendly policies, including flexible work arrangements where possible
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications (Pay Equity)
• Supportive team environment with regular supervision and peer support
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable young people

About Barnardos Aotearoa

Barnardos Aotearoa is a children’s charity working with tamariki and whānau to ensure every child in Aotearoa has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Our unique combination of social services, early learning, care services and counselling helpline provides the broadest range of child and whānau‑centred services in Aotearoa.

Each year, we work with more than 30,000 tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across the country.