Mental Health Professional - Youth Forensic

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

The Youth Forensic Team is a specialised service providing support for youth who are engaged in offending behaviours within the juvenile justice system and who are also experiencing emotional and / or mental health disorders.

This role is based in Dunedin but with a requirement of district wide travel.

You will provide an effective, efficient service for youth who are engaged in offending behaviours within the juvenile justice system and who are also experiencing emotional and / or mental health disorders.

To be successful in this role you will :

• advocate for forensic youth, focusing on their optimum care and resilience
• undertake a comprehensive assessment and provide treatment advice alongside consultation with the multidisciplinary youth forensic team
• provide referral of the youth for any potentially unmet need identified
• support the youth court processes locally and in other rural centres to ensure effective liaison and developed professional relationships across the district.

View Social Worker position description

View Registered Nurse position description

View Occupational Therapist position description

About you

There is a degree of working autonomously with this role, but you must also to be an active team member.

A current full drivers' licence is required, as a component of the position is working in the community covering required need in Invercargill, Queenstown and other rural areas.

We provide an orientation to our roles and will support your on-going professional development needs.

Our successful candidate will have the following :

• New Zealand Registration with a scope of practice that allows you to work in mental health and APC with Nursing Council New Zealand
• Previous experience working in mental health
• You will have previously demonstrated a commitment to best practice standards and your model of practice will be inclusive of the seven Real Skills of Let's get real ().
• You will also hold a strong sense of 'self' and a demonstrated commitment to working cohesively in a large and dynamic multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to problem solve, and remain calm under pressure
• A current full driver's license

Salary range

If you are a RN - This role belongs to the Te Whatu Ora / NZNO Collective Agreement and falls between Step 2 $82,856 p.a. pro-rata and Step 7 $107,600 p.a. pro-rata.

If you are a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist - This role belongs to the PSA Collective Agreement and falls between Step 1 $77,087 and Step 7 $107,600

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 Maori, 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 Sunday, 19 October 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact :

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

We only accept online applications.

Please apply via our website