Social Worker Mental Health - Whanganui Prison

Mo te tunga | About the role

As a Social Worker your primary objective is to foster and improve the well-being of individuals under our care.

Your responsibilities include conducting comprehensive assessments and developing long-term plans and interventions for individuals dealing with various complex physical and psycho-social needs, particularly those exhibiting self-harming behaviour or suicidal tendencies.

Emphasising the principle of whanaungatanga in all aspects of our work, your role involves close collaboration with a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, including corrections officers, case managers, programs, and broader health staff.

Collectively, we are dedicated to delivering culturally safe practices and approaches for those in our care.

This involves acknowledging their intricate and interconnected histories of severe trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, unhealthy relationships, and socio-economic factors, which often contribute to their involvement in offending.

Mou | About you

In this role, we are seeking applicants who can demonstrate a strong alignment with our kaupapa and organisational values.

As you compose your cover letter, highlight how you meet the following lead requirements :

You will need a Social Work qualification recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board NZ, with a preference for candidates holding a post-graduate degree in mental health.

It's crucial that you possess an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and can effectively navigate a Maori cultural setting.

Your experience in utilising trauma-informed practice models and working with at-risk patients will be instrumental in this position.

Your role will require the ability to make sound professional judgments tailored to individual circumstances.

Building effective working relationships with a diverse range of people to achieve work goals is a key aspect of success in this role.

We value qualities such as flexibility, adaptability to diverse situations, and a positive approach to handling challenges.

Additionally, you should demonstrate the ability to balance work and personal life while effectively managing workload and personal development.

Experience, qualifications, and registration in New Zealand are highly desirable.

Preference will be given to candidates who have proven experience working within the New Zealand healthcare system, hold relevant New Zealand qualifications, and are currently registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies.

This will ensure a smoother integration into our workforce and a deeper understanding of the local context and standards of care.

Nga painga | The benefits

The full salary range is $82,886 - $102,194.

Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mo matou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve.

We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono inaianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link.

All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on Thursday 20 November.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.