Support Worker - Tauranga

IHC New Zealand; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$24.68–$30.13/hr pay rate

Level 2/3/4 Health & Wellbeing certs

Long service leave entitlements

Insurance benefits after 2 years

Refer a friend bonus

Free Employee Assistance programme

Job summary

IDEA Services and the IHC New Zealand group are seeking a dedicated Support Worker to help adults with intellectual disabilities live full, independent lives in Tauranga. You will assist with daily living tasks, support community involvement, and work across mornings, evenings, sleepovers, and weekends.

As you gain qualifications, you can progress with Level 2-4 Health & Wellbeing certifications while earning $24.68–$30.13 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience in support work, caregiving, or personal care (preferred but not essential).
• Calm under pressure; confident supporting people with complex needs and behaviours.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to build meaningful relationships.
• Availability to work shifts across mornings, evenings, sleepovers and weekends.
• Comfortable and proficient in using computers and tablets daily.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Physical fitness to provide necessary physical support.
• Full NZ driver’s license is required.
• Must have full rights to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Recognise and respond to emotional overwhelm.
• Grow independence and learn daily living skills (public transport, work, cooking).
• Manage daily routines (toileting, showering, dressing, medications or meals).
• Pursue goals, interests, and hobbies.
• Stay healthy and make positive lifestyle choices.
• Maintain strong connections with whānau and community.

Skills

Support work experience

Caregiving

Personal care

Calm under pressure

Positive attitude

Shift availability

Computers/Tablets use

Written & verbal communication

Physical fitness

NZ driver's license

Right to work in NZ

Education

Level 2/3/4 Health & Wellbeing certificates

Job description

• Full time role based in Tauranga
• Varied rostered shifts, including sleepovers and wakeovers
• Earn while you learn, gain nationally recognised qualifications!

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Support Worker, you'll play a vital role in helping people with intellectual disabilities achieve their goals, build independence, and engage in the activities that matter most to them. This is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to bring creativity, compassion, and enthusiasm to every shift, creating meaningful experiences and positive outcomes for the people you support.

This Role Involves Helping The People We Support To

• recognise and respond to emotional overwhelm.
• grow their independence and learn skills for daily living such as using public transport, getting a job, cooking a meal.
• manage their daily routines - toileting, showering, getting dressed, take medication or eat a meal.
• pursue their goals, interests, and hobbies.
• stay healthy and making positive choices about their lifestyle.
• have strong connections with their whānau and community.

If you're caring, resilient, and passionate about helping others live great lives, we'd love to hear from you!

What you will bring | Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu

• Brings previous experience in support work, caregiving, or personal care (preferred but not essential).
• Remains calm under pressure and is confident supporting people with complex needs and behaviours.
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and the ability to build meaningful relationships
• Availability to work shifts across mornings, evenings, sleepovers and weekends.
• Comfortable and proficient in using computers and tablets daily.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Physical fitness to provide necessary physical support.
• Full NZ driver's license is required.
• Must have full rights to work in NZ.

What's in it for you? | Nōu te rourou

• $24.68 - $30.13 per hour depending on relevant qualifications, with the ability to earn more as you gain qualifications.
• IDEA Services will support you towards completion of the Level 2, 3 and 4 Certificates in Health and Wellbeing qualifications.
• Generous long service leave entitlements plus insurance benefits after 2 years' service.
• 'Refer a friend' Bonus programme.
• FREEEmployee Assistance programme service anytime you need health and wellbeing support.

About us | Mō mātou

IDEA Services supports adults with intellectual disabilities to live in their own homes and enjoy life as part of their communities. We are New Zealand's largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Our services are founded on IHC's utter commitment for people with intellectual disabilities to have a good life and to be valued contributors to and members of their own community.

Check out our website to learn more about us: Become a Support Worker (idea.org.nz)

The IHC Group is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and actively seek a diverse applicant pool.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

We welcome all kinds of diversity and the different perspectives such diversity brings to our work.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.