Social Worker- Child Development Services at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Social Worker – Paediatric Disability, Child Development Service

Palmerston North Hospital

Permanent – Part time

Help children thrive. Walk alongside families when it matters most.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

MidCentral Health Child Development Service (CDS) has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced social worker to apply for a Paediatric Disability Social Worker role. The Paediatric Disability Social Work team provides services to the wider MidCentral region.
The Paediatric Disability Social Work team provides psychosocial assessment and intervention to support successful adaptation to diagnosis. We also support people during periods of grief, loss, and relationship support, family violence assessment and intervention, crisis intervention and the management of difficult and complex family situations. Services are provided from Monday to Friday.

About you

You are a qualified and experienced Social Worker with current SWRB registration and an Annual Practising Certificate, and you bring a strong background in paediatric health and developmental disability. You have a sound understanding of health conditions affecting children, relevant medico-legal and privacy requirements, and the wider legislative framework that supports safe, ethical practice.
You are confident working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, using initiative, professional judgement, and strong communication skills to support children and their whanau through complex and often sensitive situations. You are well connected to community and disability support networks and are skilled at helping families navigate services and access the support they need.
You are committed to culturally responsive practice, continuous professional development, and service improvement, and you approach your work with empathy, resilience, and integrity. You meet all statutory requirements for working with children, are computer-literate, and hold a current New Zealand Driver Licence.

About the Location

Manawatu is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.
Discover more hidden gems that Manawatu and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatu & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz). Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.
We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options!

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact the CDS Team Lead, Joen Mason - Joen.Mason@midcentraldhb.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Maori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences.