Social Worker Caregiver

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Dannevirke; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency supporting children and families is seeking a Caregiver Social Worker in Dannevirke. This role involves partnering with caregivers to ensure they have the skills and resources needed to provide stable homes for children. The successful candidate will have a recognized Social Work qualification, strong relationship management skills, and excellent written communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Significant training and professional development

Inclusive and respectful workplace

Qualifications

• A recognised Social Work qualification by the Social Worker Registration Board (SWRB).
• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Worker Registration Board and an annual practising certificate.
• Passion and vision for caregivers and what they need to succeed.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with caregivers to support them in their roles.
• Work as a team with the child's Social Worker to identify key issues.
• Write assessments and provide tailored strategies for support.

Skills

Relationship management

Written communication

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification

Full registration with SWRB

Tools

Driver's licence

Job description

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Caregivers take on a critically important role in the lives of tamariki who cannot live safely at home. As a Caregiver Social Worker, you will partner closely with our caregivers to help them understand the role they play at each stage of a child's journey through care. With your strong relationship management skills and commitment to providing tailored support, you will ensure that our caregivers are well prepared with the resources, skills and information that they need to provide nurturing, safe and stable homes for tamariki. As part of your work, you will build relationships with and support whānau and non-whānau caregivers, emergency and respite caregivers and long-term caregivers. As a Caregiver Social Worker on the East Coast you will be expected to understand our work with iwi under Whanau Care and work at times, closely with our iwi providers.

The role of a Caregiver Social Worker is varied and deeply rewarding, with the opportunity to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to your community. You will work as a team with the child\'s Social Worker to identify key or underlying issues and develop creative, individually tailored strategies that provide cohesive support from all angles to facilitate great outcomes for tamariki who need caring for. Where required, you will also work with other agencies, community groups and providers to ensure the needs of our caregivers are met. A large portion of this role involves assessment writing, so strong written communication is needed.

As this role is a Social Worker position, not Caregiver, you must hold a Social Work qualification and be registered with SWRB.

We work from a strengths-based perspective and proactively share knowledge, learnings and insights across the team to ensure that all our members feel heard, supported and well prepared to deliver their best. You will receive a full induction into the role, regular training and supervision, and have the benefit of a strong peer and leadership group.

Me mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification by the Social Worker Registration Board (SWRB)
• Full registration with New Zealand\'s Social Worker Registration Board and an annual practicing certificate (or the ability to gain registration with the SWRB)
• Demonstrated resilience, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques
• Upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and demonstrating this in practice
• Passion and vision for caregivers and what they need to succeed
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
• A valid and clean New Zealand\'s driver\'s licence

Nōu te rourou | What\'s in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $81k and $97k dependant on experience, with tenure-based progression steps above this range. We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way.

This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit our site.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter; please include in your application your work availability. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a login using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact.

Applications close: 24th October 2025! We will be reviewing CVs as we go, so get your application in now as we may close the role early if the right candidate is found.