• Permanent Role
• Canterbury Te Whatu Ora

Practice Leader or experienced Supervisor wanting to step into Practice Leader role
Make a difference for children, families and communities and empower tamariki and rangatahi to achieve their full potential.

Are you a high performing, practice focussed individual who is looking for an opportunity to step up? Are you looking for a new challenge and want to work at a strategic level in collaboration with one of our key stakeholders?

Our tamariki deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard and be surrounded by loving whānau and community.

At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities where oranga tamariki can be realised.

The purpose of this role is to improve well-being outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi involved with Te Whatu Ora South Island Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAFS), Inpatient Services (Ngā Kākano) and Oranga Tamariki. This role is located in Christchurch at Kahurangi, Youth Mental Health Facility, Hillmorton. It will have responsibility for consultation and liaison across the South Island but also may be involved in nationwide consultations. There are two other Mental Health Liaison roles, one based in Auckland, one based in Wellington. This role reports to the Clinical Services Manager.

This critical role has, amongst other tasks, responsibilities between Te Whatu Ora (Mental Health) and Oranga Tamariki for:

• Promoting collaboration between Local Mental Health Services and Oranga Tamariki Sites to ensure a seamless service and as positive as experience as possible for our shared clients
• Establish effective and efficient communication across agencies to ensure timely interventions and actioning of plans.
• Assisting in the effective management of the often complex interface between Mental Health and Oranga Tamariki Sites to ensure the delivery of professional and timely services including liaison with Education and other key partners.
• Promoting initiatives that assist in developing a standardised approach between Mental Health Services and Oranga Tamariki, including initiating and maintaining inter-agency guidelines and identifying and clarifying issues of communication
• Attending inter-agency case meetings to support robust planning for children and young people involved with Mental Health Services.
• Being available for consultation on complex cases in the area of complex mental health issues
• Provide education and training opportunities for both services.
• Supporting Oranga Tamariki staff working with other children who are engaged with Mental Health Services

Our ideal candidate will bring exceptional leadership qualities along with a high standard of social work practice and proven credibility within the social work and mental health sectors. Due to the nature of the job, you must have the ability to travel within the region and will be instrumental in building relationships with our key stakeholders.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

To be successful in this highly rewarding role, you will bring your extensive Social Work experience and evidence of practice leadership.

• Social Work qualification with current registration and APC
• A sound knowledge of relevant legislation for Oranga Tamariki Act and Mental Health Act.
• Understanding the impact of complex trauma on mental health and wellbeing
• Appreciation of the political aspects of the work of Oranga Tamariki and Te Whatu Ora and the ability to identify risks and escalate appropriately
• Knowledge of disability support system and experience of supporting disabled tamariki and whanau
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural issues and concerns, in particular, knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture

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

Our vision is to ensure 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

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 $111,020 and $146,653 dependant on experience. We offer the opportunity to work in a diverse, supportive and committed team alongside a range of professional development opportunities.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

This role will offer the right candidate the ability to work in a Ministry committed to professionalism, innovation and the ability to find creative solutions to challenges in a role where no two days are the same!

If you are looking for the next challenge where accountability, integrity, courage, respect for self and others, and striving for excellence are important in your day to day job, then we would like to hear from you.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

If you want to help improve the lives of vulnerable tamariki and rangatahi please apply online with your CV and Cover Letter. If you are an employee of Oranga Tamariki already, please ensure you register or login using your work email address. Only applications made online will be accepted. If you have any queries, please contact info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Applications close: Friday 7 February 2025, however we will be reviewing CVs and interviewing as we go so get your applications in quick!

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.