CGRS Social Worker Gisborne at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Gisborne

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• 1 x SWRB registered Social Worker based at our Gisborne site.
• Specialised role, focusing on recruiting, assessing and supporting caregivers to provide the best possible care of tamariki.
• As this is a regional team, could be expected to work across the wider East Coast region to meet the needs of our business and Caregivers.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Caregivers take on a critically important role in the lives of tamariki who cannot live safely at home. As a Caregiver Social Worker, you will partner closely with our caregivers to help them understand the role they play at each stage of a child's journey through care. With your strong relationship management skills and commitment to providing tailored support, you will ensure that our caregivers are well prepared with the resources, skills and information that they need to provide nurturing, safe and stable homes for tamariki. As part of your work, you will build relationships with and support whānau and non-whānau caregivers, emergency and respite caregivers and long-term caregivers. As a Caregiver Social Worker on the East Coast you will be expected to understand our work with iwi under Whanau Care and work at times, closely with our iwi providers

The role of a Caregiver Social Worker is varied and deeply rewarding, with the opportunity to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to your community. You will work as a team with the child's Social Worker to identify key or underlying issues and develop creative, individually tailored strategies that provide cohesive support from all angles to facilitate great outcomes for tamariki who need caring for. Where required, you will also work with other agencies, community groups and providers to ensure the needs of our caregivers are met. A large portion of this role involves assessment writing, so strong written communication is needed. 

As this role is a Social Worker position, not Caregiver, you must hold a Social Work qualification and be registered with SWRB. 

We work from a strengths-based perspective and proactively share knowledge, learnings and insights across the team to ensure that all our members feel heard, supported and well prepared to deliver their best. You will receive a full induction into the role, regular training and supervision, and have the benefit of a strong peer and leadership group.

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people.
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa.
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey.

Our vision is to ensure New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification by the Social Worker Registration Board (SWRB) - This is Mandatory for this role
• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Worker Registration Board and an annual practicing certificate (or the ability to gain registration with the SWRB)
• Demonstrated resilience, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
• Upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and demonstrating this in practice
• Passion and vision for caregivers and what they need to succeed.
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
• A valid and clean Full New Zealand's driver's licence

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you.

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $81k and $97k dependant on experience, with tenure-based progression steps above this range.

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way.

This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.  To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit  https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz /working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply.

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter, please include in your application your work availability. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact info_recruit@ot.govt.nz. 

Applications close: Midnight 17th August 2026.  Please note we will be reviewing CVs as we go so get your application in now!

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol."