YJ Supervisor Social Worker - Taranaki

New Zealand Government; Hawera; On-site; NZD 111,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Wellbeing commitment

Training and professional development

Vibrant supportive team

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in New Zealand is seeking a Supervisor Social Worker (Youth Justice) to lead a team of social workers and support staff in delivering Youth Justice services. You will provide leadership, supervision and quality casework outcomes in line with legislation and policy.

You will work closely with the Youth Justice Manager and Practice Leader, build capability, manage risk, and support iwi, NGOs and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for tamariki and

Qualifications

• Full NZ driver licence
• Registration with SWRB and Annual Practising Certificate or eligibility
• Tertiary qualification in social work
• Experience leading social workers and staff
• Strong risk management and continuous improvement knowledge
• Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills
• Solid knowledge of relevant legislation (Oranga Tamariki Act 1989)
• Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and manage a team of social workers and staff
• Provide leadership, supervision and ensure quality casework outcomes
• Ensure services align with legislation, policy and priorities
• Develop team capability, monitor performance and manage risk
• Collaborate with iwi, NGOs, partner agencies and stakeholders

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Communication

Risk management

Cross-cultural practice

Relationship management

People leadership

Policy understanding

Education

Social work degree

Job description

Position

Permanent, fulltime position available. Position can be based at either Hawera or New Plymouth in the Taranaki Region.

Location

Hawera or New Plymouth in the Taranaki Region.

Salary

We are offering a competitive salary starting from $111,020 to $133,696, depending on experience. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $111,020 and $133,696 dependent on experience.

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 We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

About the role

As Supervisor Social Worker (Youth Justice), you will lead, support and manage a team of social workers and support staff to ensure the effective delivery of Youth Justice services. You will provide leadership, oversight and professional supervision while ensuring services are delivered in line with legislation, policy, practice standards and organisational priorities. You will develop team capability, monitor performance, manage workflow and risk, and ensure quality casework outcomes. Working closely with the Youth Justice Manager and Practice Leader, you will contribute to continuous improvement, operational effectiveness and the achievement of key performance indicators. Success in this role requires strong relationship management skills and the ability to work collaboratively with iwi, NGOs, partner agencies, community providers and internal stakeholders. Everything you do will reflect the values of Oranga Tamariki and support positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.

What you will bring

We are looking for an experienced social work leader with a strong commitment to tamariki wellbeing and practice excellence. Key requirements of the role include:

• A full, clean, current New Zealand driver licence (historic convictions may be considered on a case-by-case basis)


• Full registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and a current Annual Practising Certificate (or eligibility to obtain these)


• A recognised tertiary qualification in social work


• Proven people leadership, supervision and performance management experience


• Demonstrated success in leading and supporting social workers to achieve high quality practice outcomes


• Strong understanding of risk management, service delivery and continuous improvement


• Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills


• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989


• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practice, particularly tikanga Māori and Pacific peoples’ cultures, with a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $111,020 and $133,696 dependent on experience. We also 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 https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Applications close: Thursday 1st of October 2026 and we will begin shortlisting candidates as we receive applications. Please note we do reserve the right to close the advert once all roles are filled.