Casual Residential Youth Workers Canterbury Care and Protection Homes

Are you passionate in making a real and positive difference to New Zealand's tamariki and rangatahi?

We currently have an opportunity for Casual Residential Youth Workers to join our Christchurch/Canterbury Care and Protection Group Homes.

Mo m tou About us:

Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving wh nau. At Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centered, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures. We are a Ministry with a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say.

In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

We put Tamariki first
We believe Aroha is vital
We respect the Mana of people
We are Tika and Pono
We value Whakapapa
We recognise that Oranga is a journey
We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapu, iwi and M ori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.


Mo te tunga About the role:

We are looking for positive role models to work with our young people, helping them turn their lives around. To help them achieve this, our Residential Youth Workers, as part of a team, provide daily care and support. They get involved assisting our young people to re-engage with school/vocation, attending appointments, having visits with their family, connecting with peers, and managing themselves within the home. We work to keep our rangatahi connected to the positive influences in their lives including mentors, wh nau, work and community-based programmes. The Care and Protection Homes are a group of unsecure homes that provide safe and supportive spaces for rangatahi across the Canterbury region.

As a Casual Residential Worker you will be required to cover the shifts of our Residential Youth Workers.

This is not a * to 5 job - our rangatahi require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as we provide 24-hour, 7-days per week care (including weekends and public holidays).

Typical duties of the role can involve:

Coaching rangatahi through our structured day and through all life necessities
Participating in activities with our rangatahi
Supporting our rangatahi by helping them with their studies, teaching them life skills such as cooking, art, music and cultural programmes and mentor them to make positive life choices
Establishing rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assist with redirecting behaviour
Ng pumanawatanga ou What you will bring:

Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki with resilience, initiative and a proactive approach
Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
Understanding in tikanga M ori and te reo M ori
A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage (but is not required). Life learnings are equally important, and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
A full clean New Zealand driver's licence is mandatory for this role
Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements, including the right to work in New Zealand
Flexibility to work different shifts - mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
Nou te rourou What's in it for you:

We offer paid training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. The remuneration is $26 p/hr plus 8% holiday pay. To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Me pehea te tuku tono How to apply:

Apply online with your CV and Cover Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in to the Careers portal using your Oranga Tamariki email address.
If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz.

Applications close: Midnight, Friday 3 July 2026. Applications will be viewed as received and successful candidates may be contacted prior to the advertising closing, so apply now!