Social Worker - Caregiver Recruitment and Support

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Wellbeing focus

Training and development

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Canterbury, New Zealand, is seeking a Caregiver Social Worker to recruit, assess and support caregivers. You will partner with caregivers to provide tailored guidance, ensuring safe, nurturing homes for tamariki.

You will work with whānau and community partners, coordinating with the child’s Social Worker to develop strategies and connect external agencies as needed.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Social Work qualification and be registered with SWRB.
• Full NZ SWRB registration and annual practicing certificate required (or ability to gain).
• Ability to work with caregivers, whānau and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, assess and support caregivers to provide stable homes.
• Partner with caregivers and whānau to prepare resources and skills.
• Collaborate with the child’s Social Worker and other agencies to meet caregiver needs.
• Engage with community groups to support caregivers.

Skills

Relationship management

Communication

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Resilience

Treaty of Waitangi understanding

Education

Social Work qualification

SWRB registration + annual practicing certificate

Job description

Specialised role, focusing on recruiting, assessing and supporting caregivers to provide the best possible care. This role is based in Caterbury. We're offering a competitive salary starting from $81,206 to $97,557, depending on experience.

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.

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.

Our close-knit and supportive team are fully committed to achieving positive change for tamariki, whānau and caregivers. We also understand and have experience in managing the challenges you may face in this role. 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.

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

Mō 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
• Having a good understanding of section 7(AA) of The Oranga Tamariki Act
• A good understanding of the Oranga Tamariki National Care Standards 2018
• 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 license (historic convictions may be considered on a case-by-case basis)

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 $81,206 to $97,557 dependent 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.