Ratonga Whanau Housing First Social Worker

The mahi of the Ratonga Whanau Housing First Social Worker is within the Ratonga Whanau Housing First Team.

The primary pupose of the Ratonga Whanau Housing First Social Worker role is to work with Whanau who are permanently housed in the He Herenga Kura Housing First portfolio.

The Ratonga Whanau Housing First Social Worker are our qualified, frontline staff who apply a kaupapa Maori lens to assess Whanau needs and support them with the effective delivery of wrap around services.

The Ratonga Whanau Housing First Social Worker establish excellent communication with Whanau, and have the willingness and aptitude for applying reflective listening, and responsive and receptive solutions that address the demands and complexities of: - working with whanau Maori who may be considered to be vulnerable or high risk - working in a team who cover a breadth of experience and needs across a diverse range of housing, social and cultural issues impacting Whanau Maori.

As a Registered Social Worker or working towards registration you will provide counselling, advocacy, and practical support to connect our whanau with the resources they need to strengthen their hauora and navigate life’s challenges.

This role is integral to our commitment to Maori-led, whanau-centred practice. We recognise and uphold the collective strengths of whanau, the vital role of kura in nurturing tamariki, and the importance of creating safe, culturally grounded, and empowering environments where tamariki can thrive. Apply Today If you are ready to support whanau with empathy, resilience, and cultural insight, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role. Join us in creating lasting positive change in our community.

Essential: • Ability to work effectively in te ao Maori / tikanga Maori settings. • Proven social work experience. • Knowledge of kaupapa Maori frameworks and Maori societal and familial structures, including Whanau, hapu, and iwi. • An understanding of social services/health/mental health programmes that operate to support Whanau. • Proven experience establishing and managing successful relationships with Whanau Maori, as well as government agencies and other key external stakeholders. • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds. • Proven ability to handle and manage difficult relationships. • Excellent judgement and the ability to quickly assess risk against organisational outcomes. • Excellent time management and caseload planning and management skills. • An ability to set boundaries. • Experience in Microsoft applications and client data bases.

Desirable: • Facilitation skills and experience. • Sound knowledge of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, Mental Health Act 1992 & Residential & Tenancy Act 1898. • Sound knowledge of the Family Court and Youth Court. • Sound knowledge of Treaty of Waitangi, decolonisation, and implementation in service delivery environment. • Knowledge of, and networks with, other service provider agencies. • Knowledge of social housing issues and the impact on whanau Maori.

Qualifications

• A social worker qualification recognised by the Social Work Registration Board • Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board • A current and clean full driver’s license. • Must have updated current CV and cover letter