Resource Worker - WHARE Hamilton Home

Overview

This role is part of a new pilot initiative in Hamilton and Dunedin designed to strengthen care options for tamariki and rangatahi in smaller home-based settings. The homes are intended to trial fresh ways of working that help reduce common challenges in residential care while building local capability and a shared practice community across the region.

Each WHARE home is planned to support up to five tamariki and will offer emergency, respite, or planned care. The care model is led by full-time live-in caregivers and supported by skilled resource workers and a supervisor who is a social worker.

About the role

As a casual Resource Worker at the Hamilton WHARE home, you will help maintain continuity, safety, and stability for tamariki when the main caregivers are unavailable. The work is flexible and may include varying shifts, overnight support, and several consecutive days at a time. Coverage is often needed on weekdays during the day, weekday evenings, and weekends including mornings, evenings, and overnights.

This casual position involves working as and when required for short or block assignments at an hourly rate of $26.00.

What the role involves

• Providing cover for two days each month, including one weekend, while caregivers are on leave.
• Supporting up to four weeks of planned annual leave cover across the year.
• Stepping in at short notice when additional support is needed.
• Handling day-to-day care in the home.
• Taking tamariki into the community for activities and support.
• Working alongside whānau and the wider support network.

What you will need to bring

• A current full driver licence with a completely clean record.
• Willingness and ability to complete police vetting and Oranga Tamariki background checks; the clean slate scheme does not apply for this vetting.
• Professional references from both current and previous employers.
• Previous experience in social services or in roles working with children and young people is helpful.
• The ability to stay calm, use initiative, and adjust quickly when circumstances change.
• Flexibility to respond at short notice and to support scheduled leave and weekend cover.
• An understanding of cross-cultural practice, particularly tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Resilience when supporting tamariki with varied needs.
• A calm, professional approach.
• Strong listening, speaking, observation, and handover-note writing skills.
• The ability to build warm, safe, and meaningful relationships.
• An open attitude toward learning and adapting.
• Sound judgement, problem-solving ability, and a risk-aware decision-making approach.

What’s on offer

You will join a supportive and energetic team with flexible work arrangements and a real focus on wellbeing. The organisation also provides substantial training and professional development to help you grow in the role. Diversity is valued, and the workplace is committed to inclusion and respect.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online with a CV and cover letter. Existing employees should apply using their organisation email login. Applications close at midnight on 5 July 2026, and submissions may be reviewed as they arrive.

Additional information

Employees are expected to be familiar with the code of conduct, which outlines workplace expectations and requires staff to attend work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Location: Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.

This role is for a casual resource worker based at the Hamilton WHARE care home.

The role is associated with a 12-month pilot home model.

There are casual vacancies for Tamariki & Rangatahi Resource Workers.

The homes are designed to provide family-like care, be supported by a small group of qualified and flexible care staff, focus on each child’s All About Me Plan, and deliver relational and restorative care while staying connected with local communities and stakeholders.

If a question or contact detail is missing in the source, none was provided.