Social Worker - Youth Forensic Team

• CAF Specialist Mental Health Service, Christchurch, Canterbury
• Permanent full-time 1.0FTE, 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 committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

You can make a real difference. Our supportive Youth Forensic Team at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury has a fulltime (40 hours per week) vacancy for an experienced Social Worker.

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. 

About the Team

This position is in a team that brings together diverse clinical practise, creative therapeutic relationships, intentional professional collaboration, and highly functional team work. Working with adolescents aged 10 to 18 years who are involved with the Youth Justice system, the multidisciplinary Youth Forensic Team provides mental health assessment and interventions for rangatahi to break their offending cycle at a crucial time in their lives. Assertive outreach is key, involving travel to a variety of settings – residential, agencies, communities. The team is based at Whakatata House in central Christchurch and covers Canterbury.

This dynamic team has a range of skills and areas of clinical and cultural expertise. New staff are actively supported and opportunities for professional development are encouraged. The ability to work in close collaboration with rangatahi, and tamariki, their whanau, and other team members is essential.

About you

You will have the ability to develop sound psychiatric assessment skills and a robust knowledge of relevant legislation including Oranga Tamariki 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 1.0FTE, permanent position, Mon – Fri.

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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by Thursday, 4th June. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Recruitment Partner Lisa Gray on Lisa.Gray2@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

Position description Apply now

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