Social Worker, Fixed term

• Wairau Community, Blenheim
• 1.0FTE (80 hours a fortnight) 
• Up to 10-month fixed term full time

Health NZ is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the role

We are looking for a Registered Social Worker to join our teams Social Worker Child Development Services and Community Social Worker on a 10-month fixed term, full-time basis working up to 80hours a fortnight. There may be the opportunity for flexible hours.

This role is based in Wairau, where bio-psychosocial assessments are required, and interventions offered to support complex challenges. The role entails working with adults discharged from Wairau Hospital and Tamariki from the Child Development Service.

The role covers 3 days a week working in the Adult Community Team: 2 days working in the Child Development Team, with 1 day a fortnight adult in-patient cover. You will provide the social work support as part of a team of allied health professionals.  

About the Team/Service/Location

Our multidisciplinary team in Wairau, Blenheim, provides integrated support for children, families, and adults within our community. The Child Development Service focuses on children with developmental delays or disabilities, offering early intervention and empowering families with the tools they need to support their child’s growth. The Adult Community Service provides holistic care for individuals managing complex social, emotional, and health-related challenges. Both services prioritise collaboration, compassion, and community-cantered care.

About you:

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct assessments and provide tailored support for children with developmental needs and their families.
• Collaborate with families, schools, and other service providers to create and implement care plans.
• Facilitate group programs, workshops, or education sessions to empower families and caregivers.
• Assess and address social and emotional challenges affecting adults' overall health and independence.
• Provide advocacy, support planning, and resource coordination to improve quality of life.
• Work alongside healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, person-centred care.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated and effective service delivery.

Skills and experience

The preferred applicant will:

• Be registered with the NZ Social Workers Registration Board.
• Work in a collaborative way, delivering client-centred practice from a strength's perspective.
• Ideally have experience working in a health setting and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Bring an understanding of the social determinants of health, and the impact on health and social needs across all age ranges.
• Be competent with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Have experience in projects / initiatives which give effect to Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health NZ is ‘the weaving of wellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes. 

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. 

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

• We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter. 
• We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online career’s portal before 11:59pm on Monday 13 January 2025.

For general application enquiries please contact our recruitment team Athena.Nguyen@nmdhb.govt.nz

For role specific information please contact

- Carol Merrilees - District Child Development services Team Leader, Carol.Merrilees@nmdhb.govt.nz, or

- Annelize de Wet - District Social Work Team Leader, Annelize.deWet@nmdhb.govt.nz.