Social Worker - Child Emergency Care

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principlesof Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system thatserves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

Social Work Services at Christchurch Hospital are looking for an experienced health Social Worker to join our team working at the Christchurch campus. You'll be working in our Child Health department based in the Child Emergency Care Unit.

Social Work Services provide 24‑hour social work service 7 days a week, as part of a multi‑disciplinary team who take a holistic approach to patient care.

This role has a specific focus to strengthen whānau‑centred, equity‑led practice in the Emergency department and Child Emergency Care (CEC), to support the Shorter Stays in ED Health Target. The role will be required to work in partnership with Hauora Māori Kaimahi, to achieve shorter stays in ED, improve patient flow, and equitable outcomes for Māori. In this role you will :

• Engage with patients and their whānau to complete biopsychosocial assessments and develop tailored care plans
• Work in partnership with Hauora Māori Kaimahi to improve patient flow, reduce ED stays, and achieve equitable outcomes for Māori
• Provide emotional, practical, and informational support, advocating for patients and linking them to essential services
• Respond to clients in crisis situations, offering immediate support and solutions
• Communicate effectively with patients, whānau, and multidisciplinary teams to enable collaborative decision‑making
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records using digital systems

About You

We are seeking a compassionate Social worker who thrives in fast‑paced environments and values cultural safety and equity. To succeed in this role, you will have :

• Full SWRB registration and a current Annual Practicing Certificate
• Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• The ability to work under pressure, manage stress, and respond effectively in crisis situations
• Exceptional relationship‑building and advocacy skills, with a commitment to supporting vulnerable patients and whānau
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori and a commitment to continuing your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
• Experience or qualifications in Alcohol and Other Drugs is desirable
• Training in Trauma‑Informed Care is highly desirable

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 27th November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at

Job details

Job Reference : Job Reference : PC

Location :

South Island - Canterbury - Christchurch

Job type : Expertise :

Clinical - Allied Health - Social Worker

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