Family Works Social Worker in Schools

Presbyterian Support is one of the largest providers of social and health services in New Zealand. Our East Coast team is made up of over 200 staff and 100 volunteers across our services, which include Enliven and Family Works Hawke’s Bay, and two charity shops.

Through our Family Works service, we aim to make Aotearoa New Zealand the best place in the world to grow up - a place where all tamariki are safe, whānau are strong, and communities are connected.

About the role:

As a Family Works Social Worker in Schools (SWIS), you will be responsible for working with tamariki, their whānau, and other professionals to develop solution-focused plans to support and improve the child's educational outcomes, whānau safety, resilience and wellbeing, and meet other identified needs. 

You will predominantly be working in a local school/s and communities setting with a caseload of families, providing timely social work interventions and preventative social work services to vulnerable children, teens and their whānau using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to encourage positive and lasting change. You will also be involved in the delivery of a range of educational group programmes for children. 

 In this role you will: 

 Engage with tamariki and whānau in a mana-enhancing and strengths-based manner to deliver social work interventions

• Conduct comprehensive assessment, risk assessment and planning of the needs and goals of whānau and support them to reach their aspirations by working collaboratively, encouraging clients to take an active role in their wellbeing outcomes.


• Ensure child safety is paramount and at the forefront of all interactions.


• Respond to tamariki and whānau needs using evidence-based and trauma-informed practice approaches that recognise the impact of attachment, neurodiversity, family harm, trauma and other complex issues.


• Develop working relationship with school principals, teachers and support staff, external agencies, government departments, and other professionals to ensure an integrated approach to whānau wellbeing is achieved.

To be successful in this role you will:

Have a degree in social work, be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and hold a valid practicing certificate.

• Hold a clean, current full drivers' licence as an essential requirement.


• Have experience and understanding of working in Hawke's Bay communities.


• Be committed to bicultural practice and have the ability to demonstrate cultural competency. 


• Be a team player who supports all staff and models our values of kotahitanga, whakapapa, whakamana, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and aroha consistently and with pride.


• Be experienced in and passionate about working with tamariki and whānau in a strengths-based and solution-focused way.


• Prior experience in family harm interventions, trauma and attachment informed social work practice and group facilitation skills is favorable. 


• Have strong time management and oral/written communication skills alongside the ability to work well independently and under pressure. Self-confidence and resilience. 

Why work with Family Works:

We value our staff. We know that people want an opportunity to grow and develop their careers. We understand that the work is challenging, and staff need support, encouragement and to be looked after. 

Our focus is on collaboration through regular team meetings and support, offering generous training opportunities agreed to suit your personal development needs and supporting staff wellbeing and wellness. 

Access to regular clinical supervision, payment of your registration fees, a laptop and smart phone, plus access to fleet vehicles or mileage payment is standard.

Health insurance benefit and an annual Wellness Day are available.

To apply: 

Application packs are available on request from Carlotta Bauer-Edwards on [email protected]