Allied Support Worker - Ashburton

About the role

Oranga Tamariki is offering a permanent opportunity for someone who wants to grow their career while contributing to the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. The position exists to provide dependable operational support to frontline Social Work teams and to help meet ongoing service demand across multiple sites. As a permanent role, it is intended to be a stable part of the workforce, supporting team capacity and continuity.

Allied Support Workers operate under the guidance of qualified Social Workers and supervisors. The role helps social workers focus on statutory responsibilities and professional practice by taking on practical support tasks. This is a non-regulated position and is not a social worker role, a role in training, or a para-social work position. It does not involve case responsibility.

The work includes assisting with home visits and other engagements, administrative support, and transporting tamariki and rangatahi.

Key duties

• Provide site-based support as needed, responding to the team’s daily operational priorities.
• Assist social workers with entering case notes and other records into CYRAS and related systems.
• Transport tamariki and rangatahi safely between locations such as appointments, school and sports activities.
• Support the preparation and administration of Family Group Conferences.
• Help care for tamariki and rangatahi when they are out of school or waiting for placements.
• Handle administrative arrangements for children and young people in placements or moving between programmes.
• Support tamariki and rangatahi at school, including settling in or returning after time away.
• Carry out supervised access and visitation duties, including driving clients, supervising contact and documenting contact notes.
• Work some weekends and after-hours shifts when required.
• Build cooperative working relationships with internal teams, external partners and stakeholders.

What you will bring

This is a high-trust, safety-critical children’s worker role that calls for strong judgement, reliability and emotional resilience. The ideal candidate will bring a mix of community support experience, cultural awareness and the ability to work calmly in sensitive situations.

Experience working with people in need, in community-based settings, is valued. Background working alongside Māori and/or Pasifika communities is also desirable, as is experience handling emotionally challenging situations with empathy and professionalism.

Applicants should be confident communicators, able to work well with peers and stakeholders, and able to manage confidential information appropriately. A working understanding of tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures, along with an ability to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice, is important. Intermediate Microsoft Suite skills are also needed.

Qualifications and licence

• A recognised qualification in social services is desirable.
• A current, clean full driver’s licence is essential, along with a willingness to drive Ministry vehicles.
• Historic convictions may be considered individually.

Additional information

This role offers a starting salary range of NZD 68,371 to NZD 75,501 and includes substantial training and professional development opportunities.

The recruitment team may review applications as they are received, and the advertisement may close earlier if all positions are filled. Applications close on Monday 6 July 2026.

Applicants are expected to submit a CV and covering letter. Current Oranga Tamariki employees must apply using their Oranga Tamariki email login.

Recruitment across the country may take longer than usual due to the number of vacancies being filled. Candidates should also be familiar with the organisation’s code of conduct, including the expectation to attend work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.