Social Worker - Whangarei

Kumara Vine; Whangarei; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

SWRB fees covered

Flexible work arrangements

Discounted childcare

Job summary

Barnardos Aotearoa in Whangārei seeks an experienced social worker to support tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. This permanent role is 36 hours per week, based in Whangārei, delivering evidence-based interventions and developing individual support plans for families.

You will conduct home visits, coordinate with agencies, maintain case notes and reports, and participate in supervision and professional development while upholding Barnardos values.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
• Experience engaging with people affected by family harm and who are reluctant to engage.
• Able to work autonomously with excellent time management.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills; reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive support to tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau through evidence-based interventions.
• Develop and implement individual support plans tailored to each family.
• Facilitate educational and therapeutic programs to promote positive development.
• Maintain accurate case notes and prepare reports.
• Collaborate with other agencies and community partners.
• Participate in supervision and professional development; conduct home visits and community-based interventions as needed.

Skills

Experience with tamariki and whānau

Engagement with at-risk families

Time management

Communication & reporting

Education

Tertiary qualification in social work

Tools

NZ Driver's Licence

Job description

Shape Futures, Change Lives: Guide tamariki and rangatahi with compassion

Grow with Barnardos. Embrace our principles, elevate your social work career

Be part of a passionate, supportive team

We are seeking an experienced social worker to support tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. This role involves engaging with families and delivering programs to help children thrive.

About the role

This permanent role is 36 hours per week, based in Whangārei.

As a Social Worker, you will provide comprehensive support to tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau through evidence-based interventions. You will develop and implement individual support plans tailored to each family's needs, while facilitating educational and therapeutic programs that promote positive development. The role requires maintaining accurate case notes and preparing reports, as well as working collaboratively with other agencies and community partners. You will participate in regular supervision and professional development and conduct home visits and community-based interventions as needed.

To excel, you'll need:

• Proven experience working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
• Proven experience and a passion to engage with people affected by family harm and who are reluctant to engage
• The ability to work autonomously and have excellent time management skills
• Excellent communication and organisational skills; strong computer literacy and reporting skills
• Flexibility and resilience to meet the needs of the role
• A tertiary qualification in social work and full SWRB registration
• A full, clean NZ Drivers Licence

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?

• Be at the forefront of trauma‑responsive youth care in New Zealand, contributing to groundbreaking programs
• 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 youth care methodologies
• SWRB fees covered, supporting your continued professional registration
• Enjoy family‑friendly policies, including flexible work arrangements where possible
• Benefit from discounted childcare at Barnardos Early Learning centres
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• 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.

If you would like more information about the role, or a copy of the position description please email [e-mail] , in your email please quote the ID number:1661444

Every day, we’re making a positive, long‑lasting difference to children’s lives.

We will commence interviews as applications are received.