Whanau Support Worker

This role is a 0.9 FTE – 4.5 days per week. Some travel across South Waikato is required. We are looking for someone who is committed to making a meaningful difference for whanau/families. If this role applies to your qualifications/experience, please apply asap. We will close this advert when a suitable applicant is found. ABOUT YBR Yellow Brick Road (formerly Supporting Families NZ) is a well-respected national organisation with a 40-year history. We provide specialised support, advocacy, and education where whanau/families can build their strength and resilience to manage life when they have a loved one who is experiencing mental health challenges. Our work/mahi is whanau centred and driven, underpinned with a Te Whare Tapa Wha approach. We walk alongside whanau and provide support that is solutions focused, and trauma informed. Whanau are the unsung heroes who through thick and thin. Every day they decide to support their loved one. This can be a difficult journey. We know that supporting whanau/families through their challenges, where they strengthen their knowledge, resilience, and relationships, can improve the overall Hauora and wellness for those families. THE ROLE We need a family/whanau support worker who is astonishingly good at relationships. This role requires someone with strong and extensive community-based experience, including working with whanau. Having established social services and wellbeing community networks is advantageous. As someone who is self-motivated and can work independently, you must be happy to travel across the South Waikato area (vehicle provided). This is an energetic role which requires the ability to relate to and work closely with families/whanau, the health professionals who work alongside them and other agencies involved in their care. It is a highly rewarding role as with the ability to make a significant impact on the lives of the people you work with.

Essential Requirements • Level 4 Health and Wellbeing Certificate, (ideally with a Mental Health focus), but preferably higher tertiary qualifications (social services, social work, counselling, psychology etc.) • Understanding of and preferably experience in engaging with, tikanga Maori, along with knowledge or an active interest in learning, Te Reo. • Knowledge of mental health conditions, the mental health system and what people/families experience with mental health and addictions challenges. • Experience and understanding of supporting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. • Proven research and reporting writing skills. • Computer literacy with experience using (MS365) word, excel, outlook, TEAMs, OneDrive, a client management system and intranet use. • The ability to work independently and autonomously, achieving regional targets and goals. • Proven effective listening and communication skills. • Clean and full NZ driver’s licence. • The right to work without sponsorship or Visa restrictions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Preferred Requirements • Empathy and understanding of the challenges whanau experience when a loved one is unwell. • Lived experience in supporting a loved one through mental health challenges. • Existing knowledge of South Waikato/Tokoroa based mental health and addictions networks and social services. • Knowledge of mental health and addictions resources. • Group facilitation skills and experience.

Internal and external supervision, peer support and training will be provided. Yellow Brick Road is a kindness focused organisation that looks after its people. Join us to work holistically with whanau to build happy, healthy, and self-sustaining communities. If this sounds like you, email me your cv and cover letter at adam.barrett019@msd.govt.nz