Allied Support Worker - Caregiver Recruitment & Support

About the Role

Oranga Tamariki invites applications for permanent Allied Support Worker positions aimed at augmenting their frontline Social Work teams. These roles offer a chance to build a meaningful career supporting the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Unlike previous fixed-term assignments, these are ongoing roles designed to bolster team capacity and reliability.

Allied Support Workers operate under the guidance of qualified Social Workers and supervisors, assisting by enabling Social Workers to concentrate on statutory tasks and professional duties. Importantly, this role is non-regulated; it is not a Social Worker in training nor a para-social worker, and candidates do not carry caseloads or conduct social work activities.

Key Duties

• Delivering regional support aligned with operational needs, which may require travel within and occasionally beyond the region.
• Engaging with caregivers, assisting in community outreach, and supporting recruitment efforts.
• Organizing caregiver training sessions and aiding learning and development initiatives.
• Helping with caregiver assessments, approvals, support planning, and ongoing assistance.
• Facilitating placement and matching through information collection, caregiver profile preparation, and coordination.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with caregivers, whānau, community groups, and internal stakeholders.
• Occasionally working outside standard business hours as required.

Candidate Profile

This is a high-trust role critical to child safety, demanding sound judgement, emotional resilience, and dependability. Suitable candidates will ideally have:

• Experience supporting community members in need.
• Familiarity with Māori and Pasifika cultures.
• Empathy and skill in handling emotionally sensitive situations.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Collaborative skills for working with peers and stakeholders.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Excellent verbal and written communication along with effective interpersonal abilities.
• Capability to stay composed and professional under emotional or stressful circumstances.
• Respect and understanding of cross-cultural practices, particularly tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Commitment to practicing Te Tiriti ō Waitangi principles.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications and Licenses

• Possession of a recognised Social Services qualification is preferred but not mandatory.
• A valid full driver’s license with a clean record is essential; willingness to use Ministry vehicles is required. Historical convictions will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Benefits

This role offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of tamariki and rangatahi while receiving a competitive salary ranging from $68,371 to $75,501. The organisation also commits to providing substantial training and career development opportunities. Diversity and inclusion are highly valued in the workplace.

Additional Information

Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with Oranga Tamariki's Code of Conduct, which includes expectations of working free from the effects of drugs and alcohol.

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The recruitment process may take longer due to a high volume of vacancies; appreciation for patience is extended to all candidates.