Social Worker - Child Advisory Protection and Education team

• Waikato Hospital
• Permanent – 80 hours per fortnight – Monday to Friday

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

We are seeking an experienced qualified Social Worker to join our Women’s and Child Health Directorate here at Waikato Hospital.  As a successful CAPE team member, you will play a key role an integral part of supporting our vulnerable tamariki and whānau through their journey in partnership with both community and hospital services.

Key Responsibilities of the role include:

• Build and maintain local collaborations with key stakeholders including statutory and community-based organisations.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and contribute to decision-making regarding National Child Protection Alerts for vulnerable unborn, Tamariki and Rangatahi.
• Facilitate and support the triage and management of Oranga Tamariki Reports of Concern.
• Liaise regularly with Ministry for Children – Oranga Tamariki and New Zealand Police regarding vulnerable pepi, Tamariki, Rangatahi and family/whānau regarding health needs and/or alleged or substantiated child abuse and neglect.
• Complete requests for information, including completion of Section 66 Request for Information pursuant to the Oranga Tamariki Act (1989), Police Requests and whanau requests for information where child protection services have had involvement.
• Work in partnership with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora health professionals, providing advice and support regarding child protection and family violence eg to social workers, paediatricians, public health nurses, emergency department and mental health.
• Provide telephone and email advice and support to community health provides regarding child protection and family violence eg General Practitioners, Practice Nurses and Plunket/Well Child Providers.
• Represent Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato at regular Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection Resource Panels.
• Co-facilitate the Violence Intervention Programme (VIP) training day alongside the VIP Coordinator.
• Provide education sessions to health and community services

Click here to view the position description.

About the Service

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato provides health services to the communities of Waikato with a combined population of over 400,000 people, and tertiary-level services to the midland region, with a population of over 840,000. Waikato Hospital in Hamilton provides the most specialised and complex medical care and is recognised as both a tertiary and accredited training hospital. It is our people that are fundamental to our success and our diverse workforce of over 7,000 employees provide care and support to our hapu wãhine.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Experience working with vulnerable tamariki and whānau from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Experience working with whānau alongside statutory services (eg Police and/or Oranga Tamariki) would be preferable.
• Be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) with a current APC in New Zealand with no conditions.
• Current full NZ driver’s license.
• Minimum of 5 years of recent post-registration experience in a New Zealand healthcare setting.
• Experience working with vulnerable tamariki and whānau from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Experience working with whānau alongside statutory services (eg Police and/or Oranga Tamariki) would be preferable.
• The ability to create and maintain positive working relationships both internal and external to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato.

Skills and knowledge:

• Proven experience of working with and supporting whānau with lived experience of family violence including child protection and intimate partner violence.
• Familiarity with the Vulnerable Children’s Act, Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, and other relevant acts.
• Familiarity with the Privacy Act and the Health Practitioner Privacy Code.
• Awareness of the social determinants of health and the influence of poverty on access to health care.
• Familiarity with the professional body code of conduct and code of ethics.
• Excellent communication skills with strong consumer focus, and ability to mediate effectively.
• Willingness to ensure care and support is provided to women with complex social care needs.
• Strong telephone and computer skills as you will be regularly liaising with health and community stakeholders.

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 online” or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on 8 June 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Naomi Knight at Naomi.Knight@waikatodhb.health.nz