Allied Support Worker

Role overview

This is a permanent full-time opportunity based at the Porirua site in Wellington. The position offers a competitive salary range of $68,371 to $75,501, with pay level depending on relevant experience.

Oranga Tamariki is seeking people who want to build their career while contributing to the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. These roles were created to provide dependable operational support to frontline Social Work teams and to meet ongoing service demand across sites. Unlike earlier fixed-term advertisements, these Allied Support Worker roles are permanent and are intended to provide stable, continuous support to the wider workforce.

About the role

Allied Support Workers operate under the guidance of qualified Social Workers and supervisors. Their purpose is to help create positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau by allowing Social Workers to concentrate on statutory duties and professional practice.

This is a non-regulated position. It is not a social work training role, is not a para-social worker role, and does not involve social work casework or a personal caseload.

The role supports Social Workers through home visits, other engagements, administration tasks, and the transport of tamariki and rangatahi.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver practical support across the site according to the team’s daily operational needs.
• Help Social Workers record case notes and other details in CYRAS and related information systems.
• Transport tamariki and rangatahi safely between locations such as appointments, school, and sport.
• Assist with the preparation and administrative coordination of Family Group Conferences.
• Support the care of tamariki and rangatahi when they are out of school or awaiting placements.
• Handle administrative steps needed for children and young people in placement or moving into a programme transition.
• Support tamariki and rangatahi at school, including helping them settle in or return after time away.
• Carry out supervised access and visitations, including driving clients, overseeing contact, and preparing contact notes.
• Work some weekends and after-hours when required.
• Build productive working relationships with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders.

What you will bring

This is a high-trust, safety-critical role involving children, so strong judgement, emotional resilience, and reliability are essential. The ideal applicant will bring a mix of the following experience, skills, and qualifications.

• Background supporting people in the community, especially those who need assistance.
• Experience working with Māori and/or Pasifika communities.
• Comfort handling emotionally difficult situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Strong communication skills, both spoken and written, along with well-developed people skills.
• Ability to work effectively with peers and stakeholders in a collaborative environment.

Skills and capabilities

• Clear and effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Ability to stay calm and professional in stressful or emotionally complex situations.
• Understanding of cross-cultural practice, including tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Capability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Willingness and ability to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in everyday practice.
• Intermediate proficiency with the Microsoft suite.

Qualifications and licence

• A recognised qualification in social services is preferred.
• A current full driver’s licence is required, along with a willingness to drive Ministry vehicles.
• Historic convictions may be assessed individually.

What’s on offer

• A salary range starting at $68,371 and reaching $75,501, depending on experience.
• Significant training and professional development to support growth in the role.
• A workplace that values diversity and is committed to inclusion and respect.

Application information

• Applications close at 5:00 pm on Monday, 20 July 2026.
• Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter.
• Current Oranga Tamariki employees should apply using their Oranga Tamariki email login.
• The organisation is recruiting for many roles across the motu, so the hiring process may take longer than usual.
• Applicants are expected to be familiar with the code of conduct, including the requirement to attend work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Additional notes

If you are considering this opportunity, you may need to be available for some weekends and after-hours work. The role is based in Porirua and is onsite.