Are you passionate in making a real and positive difference to New Zealand's tamariki and rangatahi?

We currently have an opportunity for a permanent, full-time Residential Youth Worker to join our Christchurch/Canterbury Care and Protection Homes, with a competitive salary between $57,760 - $65,334 as well as allowances.

Interviews for this role will not begin until early 2025, with a start date thereafter.

Mō mātou | About us:

Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centred, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures. We are a Ministry with a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say.


The Care and Protection Homes are a group of unsecure homes that provide safe and supportive spaces for rangatahi across the Canterbury region. These young people are not youth offenders and are in need of mentors to support them through their time in care with Oranga Tamariki.


Mō te tūnga | About the role:

We are looking for positive role models to work with our young people, helping them turn their lives around. To help them achieve this, our Residential Youth Workers, as part of a team, provide daily care and support. They get involved assisting our young people to re-engage with school/vocation, attending appointments, having visits with their family, connecting with peers, and managing themselves within the home. We work to keep our rangatahi connected to the positive influences in their lives - mentors, whānau, work and community-based programmes.

This is not a 9 to 5 job - our rangatahi require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as we provide 24-hour, 7-days per week care (including weekends and public holidays).


Typical duties of the role can involve:

• Coaching rangatahi through our structured day and through all life necessities
• Participating in activities with our rangatahi
• Supporting our rangatahi by helping them with their studies, teaching them life skills such as cooking, art, music and cultural programmes and mentor them to make positive life choices
• Establishing rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assist with redirecting behaviour

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring:

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki with resilience, initiative and a proactive approach
• Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
• Understanding in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
• A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage (but is not required). Life learnings are equally important and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements, including the right to work in New Zealand
• Flexibility to work different shifts - mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework that gives pay increases based on tenure (time in the job). We offer training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow, including paid induction training that will set you up for success. 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/

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.

If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Applications Close: Tuesday, 24 December 2024. Applications will be reviewed in January 2025.


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.