Youth Worker

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We are looking for a youth worker who loves to bring out the best in dynamic neurodiverse young people / ākonga and is energised by giving rangitahi opportunities for success. Youth workers are part of the residential care team who support the young people in learning day-to-day life skills. Youth workers also coordinate all recreational activities for the ākonga, and work to implement educational and developmental goals.

During term time, you will be working on a 3-week rotating roster. Most shifts are 7am–3pm or 1pm–9 : 30pm. Experience working with young people or in a residential environment is strongly desired, as are strengths in te reo / Pasifika. Full driver licence and police vet are essential, as is working from a culturally responsive perspective and being a team player with a willingness to be trained in Team Teach.

The successful applicant will have strengths and experience in :

• Building relationships that are focused on learning with young people aged 8–16 years old.
• Relating with all kaiako as well as external stakeholders in a collaborative way to support students.
• Adapting plans at short notice to best meet the students’ needs.
• Competitive salary : $63,000-$65,000, plus 10 weeks of paid leave during school holidays.
• The intrinsic rewards that come with building good relationships with diverse learners.
• A supportive team of residential and day school staff who work together to promote learning.
• Opportunities for professional development.

Located in Christchurch, HRC Te Otu Mātua is a time-limited intervention for rangatahi with complex behaviours who experience neurodiverse challenges such as ASD, intellectual impairments, specific learning disabilities, ADHD, and trauma, as well as a range of similar presentations that may not have been diagnosed. Our vision for each of our students is ‘Whakarangatirahia / Be the best you can be’. To experience success in education, these young people need to feel safe, make connections, and learn ways to manage their emotions. We believe that every interaction with every student by every kaiako has the potential to make a difference for that student, and we are intentional in creating a therapeutic environment.

We focus on supporting students to develop the skills they will need when they leave HRC. To achieve this, our residential and day school teams work in partnership with the student’s family, enrolling school, and referrer. We emphasise the development of emotional, social, and regulation skills essential to being ready to learn. We have four houses; one of these is specifically for girls, and one follows a Māori kaupapa.

Applications close : Wednesday 29 October at midday

Start date : Monday 26 January 2026, or by negotiation.

Salary match Number of applicants Skills match

Your application will include the following questions :

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