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Social Worker - Youth Forensic Team
- Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
- Permanent full-time 1FTE, Monday - Friday
- Current NZ Registration and APC in your profession is essential, along with a full NZ Drivers Licence
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.
About the Role
Are you ready for a new challenge? Our supportive Youth Forensic Team at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury has a fulltime (40 hours per week) vacancy for an experienced Social Workerbased out of Whakatata House in central Christchurch and covering Canterbury. Our vibrant Team works hard to make a difference for these vulnerable young people.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Undertaking comprehensive mental health and AOD screens and assessments utilising clinical interviewing, diagnostic, and behavioural assessment;
- Formulating and delivering appropriate intervention plans, as part of case management with young people aged 10 to 18 and their family/whanau;
- Youth court liaison work – into Youth Court, Youth Drug Court, Rangatahi court;
- Presenting assessments and materials to other groups;
- Providing consultation and interventions into Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo (Youth Justice residence) and the Youth Wing at Christchurch Men’s Prison;
- Liaison with Youth Justice Agencies, Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) and Regional services.
Are you motivated and flexible to meet challenges? Work both autonomously and as part of our team to develop professional relationships with our many community partners/agencies whom you will be liaising with. The ability to work in close collaboration with young people, their family / whanau, other team members as well as partnering organisations is imperative to effectively engage appropriate clinical interventions for this client group.
The team has a range of skills and clinical expertise and are very supportive of staff new to the area. Opportunities for professional development are provided and encouraged to continue to build the expertise and resourcefulness of this team!
About you
You will have the ability to develop sound psychiatric assessment skills and a robust knowledge of relevant legislation including Child, Youth and Family Act, MHA, Criminal Justice Act. Your ability to accurately identify risk and plan and advise appropriate management strategies will be exceptional.
Experience working within Child, Adolescent and Family services, Specialist Mental Health, is desirable for this role. Consideration would be given if you have familiarity working with youth, and families/whanau within a mental health context. Experience working with Maori and applying the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to your practice is essential. Bring your professional experience to provide consultation and management advice to the Youth Justice Residential facility (Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo), to assist with their interactions and care of the challenging young people admitted there.
The successful candidate will be able to build strong effective relationships with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, will be organised and methodical in their approach to administration and time management, and will have flexibility and adaptability to meet the changeable nature of our mahi.
Current NZ Registration and APC in your profession is essential.
A current full NZ Divers Licence is required for this position.
This
is a 1 FTE, permanent position, Mon – Fri.
Working for Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
- We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Sunday 12th January. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Natalie Gaunt at Natalie.Gaunt@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.