Allied Support Worker

Role overview

This is a permanent full-time opportunity based at the Napier site in Hawke's Bay. The position offers a salary from $68,371 to $75,501, with the final rate depending on relevant experience.

Oranga Tamariki is seeking people who want to grow their careers while making a meaningful difference for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. These roles have been created to deliver dependable operational support to frontline Social Work teams and to meet ongoing service demand across sites. Unlike earlier fixed-term versions of the role, these permanent positions are intended to provide stability, continuity, and stronger team capacity.

About the role

Allied Support Workers operate under the guidance of qualified Social Workers and their supervisors. The role helps create positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau by allowing Social Workers to concentrate on statutory duties and professional practice.

This is a non-regulated role. It is not social work training, and it is not a para-social worker position. The role does not involve social work case management or holding a caseload.

Core duties include supporting social workers during home visits and other engagements, carrying out administration tasks, and transporting tamariki and rangatahi.

Key duties

• Provide on-demand support across the site according to the team’s daily operational needs.
• Help social workers record case notes and other information in CYRAS and related systems.
• Transport tamariki and rangatahi safely between locations such as appointments, school, and sports activities.
• Assist with the preparation and administration of Family Group Conferences (FGC).
• Support the care of tamariki and rangatahi when they are out of school or waiting for placements.
• Complete administrative steps needed for placement changes and programme transitions.
• Support tamariki and rangatahi at school, including settling in or returning after time away.
• Carry out supervised access and visitation work, including driving clients, supervising contact, and writing contact notes.
• Work some weekends and after-hours as required.
• Build cooperative working relationships with internal teams, external partners, and other stakeholders.

What you will bring

This is a high-trust, safety-critical role involving children, so sound judgement, emotional resilience, and consistent reliability are essential.

Experience and strengths

• Background supporting people in the community who need assistance.
• Experience working with Māori and/or Pasifika communities and cultures.
• Ability to handle emotionally charged situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfort working collaboratively with peers and stakeholders.

Skills and capabilities

• Clear and effective written and spoken communication.
• Professional calm under pressure in complex emotional situations.
• Awareness of cross-cultural practice, especially tikanga Māori and Pacific peoples' culture.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in day-to-day practice.
• Intermediate proficiency with the Microsoft Suite.

Qualifications and licence

• A recognised qualification in social services is preferred.
• A full, current, clean driver’s licence is essential.
• Willingness to drive Ministry vehicles is required.
• Historic convictions may be considered individually.

What’s on offer

Along with the chance to contribute to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi, the role includes a competitive remuneration package and access to significant training and professional development opportunities. Oranga Tamariki is committed to inclusion, diversity, and respectful practice.

Application details

Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday, 20 July 2026. Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter online. Current Oranga Tamariki employees should apply using their Oranga Tamariki email login.

Recruitment is underway for a large number of roles across the motu, so the process may take longer than usual. Applicants are thanked in advance for their patience.

Important note

Applicants should be familiar with the organisation’s code of conduct, which sets expectations for kaimahi and requires attendance at work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.