Social Worker - Forensic Prison Team, Northland at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitematā, Northland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Te Whatu Ora Waitemata

Social Worker - Northern Region Corrections Facility (NRCF), Northland

• Permanent, Part-time role
• 0.6 FTE (24 hours per week)
• Based in Whangarei/Kerikeri

The Auckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Service, or the Mason Clinic as it is often known, is the largest Forensic Mental Health Service in New Zealand. We serve the four northern District Health Boards including all courts in the northern region and 4 prisons totalling 3300 inmates.

We deliver a comprehensive range of Forensic Mental Health Services, including secure inpatient acute and rehabilitation services which connect to community rehabilitation services, services for offenders with an intellectual disability, culture specific programmes for Maori, court liaison and prison mental health services. This includes a regional service to Northland Region Corrections Facility in Northland. The Mason Clinic has 116 inpatient beds of which 12 are for offenders with an intellectually disability.

Our vision, mission and values are inclusive, founded on a therapeutic commitment to service users, their family and the community. We are committed to both process, and outcome quality, best evidence based practice, a management environment that is respectful of all staff and an ongoing learning environment.

The Mason Approach has a number of core values which include providing respectful, safe and involving services, delivering recovery and strengths focused care that is culturally appropriate, evidence and values based.

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic Social Worker with previous mental health experience to join the Regional Forensic Psychiatry Team.

As a key member of the Forensic Service, you will be working in Northern Region Corrections Facility advising on issues related to an offender’s current mental health. We provide mental health triage assessments for prisoners referred from Corrections staff/ Health staff and follow up care to a caseload of prisoners with major mental illness. Offenders often have complex mental health needs and the role involves working with these men in the custody environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

The position requires excellent communication and networking skills, and a genuine interest in the judicial system and mental health issues pertaining to clients and their families. There is active support for professional development through supervision, and on-going training and encouragement to be a member of the ANZASW as a Registered Social Worker.

If you have a recognised social work degree, a full driver’s licence and would enjoy working for an expanding service, we look forward to hearing from you.

The following are essential attributes 

• Sound Social Work knowledge base
• Knowledge of Mental Health issues
• Understanding of the nature of organisations and knowledge of social service policies and systems
• Commitment to empowerment of clients and families/whanau
• Effective communication skills, oral and written
• Good community/networking skills
• Professional focus and ability to relate well to social work colleagues
• Current drivers’ licence
• Ability to work autonomously
• Good time management
• Ability to develop good working relationships
• Commitment to maintaining high professional standard

Please click here  for a copy of the position description.

To apply for this position, please do so by visiting our careers page at www.wdhbcareers.com, quoting position number WDHB17172 or by clicking the apply button below.

For further information please contact Sharon Price, Team Manager at (09) 487 7814 and for more information about our recruitment process, please contact Katherine Shinhama, Recruitment Consultant, at (09) 442 7251.

Job Number: WDHB17172

Closing Date: 6 October 2023