Social Worker - Youth Justice (ICM Team) - Rotorua

• Permanent full time opportunity
• Role based in Rotorua
• Remuneration starting from $81,206- $97,557 based on experience

We are more committed than ever to providing proactive and comprehensive care to young people. Our teams are focused on significantly improving the life experiences and outcomes of rangatahi. We want our teams to inspire sustained change by providing a therapeutic and mana enhancing experience, that ultimately reduces re-offending.

To ensure we can deliver on our commitments, we are searching for an experienced and passionate Youth Justice Social Worker to be based in Rotorua. You will join our Intensive Case Management team and support our upcoming work. Our Intensive Case Management teams comprise of both experienced youth justice and care and protection social workers, working alongside a youth worker. These teams will provide specialised and therapeutic care to serious and persistent young offenders

Our Social Workers are critical in helping to guide and shape our ways of working. They ensure that what we do reflects trauma-informed, therapeutic practice and provides an alternative pathway for youth offenders to help them thrive within their wh nau and communities.

Mo m tou \| 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:

• Aroha - we care deeply
• Whakapapa - we honour connections
• Mana - we uphold the dignity of all
• Tika \& Pono - we do what's right, with integrity
• Oranga - we journey toward wellbeing, together

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapu, iwi and M ori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Mo te tunga \| About the role

The wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi is everyone's responsibility. They deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving wh nau and community. If these words capture why you became a Social Worker, then you belong on the journey we're taking at Oranga Tamariki. We're looking for a qualified, registered, and experienced social worker who wants to make a real difference by putting rangatahi at the heart of everything you do.

Social Worker responsibilities will include:

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to contribute to a culture of care within a therapeutic environment that is relational, restorative and inclusive.
• Provide social work services that respond to the needs of rangatahi, and promotes their safety, wellbeing, and supports a reduction in offending.
• Support engagement with wh nau.
• Complete thorough safety and risk assessments.
• Lead hui with care and confidence.
• Design tailored, strengths-based, and culturally aligned plans.

Ng pumanawatanga ou \| What you will bring

You will have a sound knowledge and understanding of all systems that affect day to day care and support of rangatahi, and will be open minded about new, exciting and innovative approaches.

You will be part of a close-knit team enabling us to deliver an exciting and enhanced approach to community integrated care for our rangatahi. Each team member will play a key role supporting the delivery of this exciting initiative/pilot, a key priority for Oranga Tamariki and the wider Government.

To be successful in this role you must have:

• Full SWRB registration (or eligibility to register in the near future)
• A recognised social work qualification
• A genuine, strengths-based practice approach
• A full, clean New Zealand driver's licence (historic convictions may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
• An unwavering commitment to working in partnership with wh nau

Also valuable:

• Strong communication, resilience, and cultural competence
• Knowledge of tikanga M ori and Pasifika cultures
• Solid documentation and digital literacy skills

Nou 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 $81,206 and $97,557 dependant on experience. 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.

If you care about providing rangatahi with the aroha and support they need early on in life, you'll get immense satisfaction from being able to turn lives around and seeing the difference your mahi makes to our young Kiwi's. So, will you join us?

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Me pehea te tuku tono \| How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. 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 [email protected]

Applications close: Monday 14 September 2026 and we will begin shortlisting candidates as we receive applications. Please note we do reserve the right to close the advert once all roles are filled.

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.