Hillcrest Home is looking for empowering & passionate Casual Care Workers to provide support for rangatahi!

Mō mātou | About us:

Hillcrest Home is a purpose-built, non-secure facility located in a residential Hamilton suburb. Hillcrest Home provides a safe and therapeutic home-like environment for rangatahi (young people) aged 14 to 17 years old 24/7 who are involved in the NZ Youth Justice system. Using a therapeutic approach underpinned by Matauranga Māori and cognitive behavioural therapy, we aim to provide the highest level of care for rangatahi.

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-centered, 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.

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 Care 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.

As a Casual Care Worker you will be required to cover the shifts of our permanent Care Workers. This is not a 9 to 5 job - our rangatahi require wrap around support from us which is why our Care 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:
• We value our kaimahi and the wide range of skills and experiences they have.
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We want to hear from you if you have:

• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people whether it be through your experience in customer service, coaching, engaging in your community or experience working with rangatahi in positive and proactive ways
• Studied psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, arts or teaching and you want to bring those learnings to life in meaningful way by applying your skills to rangatahi in need of your help every day. Life learnings are equally important and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work with others and contribute to a supportive and inclusive team.
• Knowledge of Tikanga and Te Reo is an advantage - Oranga Tamariki is committed to developing our kaimahi to develop this important capability.
• Willingness and ability to work across a roster that covers mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• An appropriate level of physical fitness that will allow you to safely support and interact with rangatahi
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements
• A full, clean New Zealand drivers license

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

This position pays $26.00 per hour + 8% holiday pay on hours worked. There is a variety of shifts available as residences operate 24/7.

We offer 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/

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply:

Apply online with your CV and Cover Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you register or login using your work email address. For reporting and transparency, it is important that all applications are submitted through our careers site, please do not email through applications and/or CVs. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Applications Close: Friday 7 February 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.