October 17, 2024

New Zealand Government

Wellington City

FULL TIME

Social Worker Adoptions

Social Worker Adoption Service, Oranga Tamariki

12 month secondment or fixed term role (late January 2025 - late January 2026)
Location - Wellington
Full-time position, however the panel may be open to considering requests for reduced hours

The National Adoption Service is looking for a positive thinking, hardworking social worker who has passion about adoption social work in Aotearoa. You will have excellent assessment skills, strength with written and verbal communication, and are open to ongoing learning and service delivery improvements. You will be a person who is able to work well on your own and who is a team player. Commitment to your job and showing initiative will come naturally to you.

Mō mātou | About us
The National Adoption Service is a service unit of Oranga Tamariki—the Ministry for Children. The Adoption Service is focused on putting our clients at the centre of everything we do. We are a supportive team who are committed to ensuring that people involved with our staff have a high-quality service delivered to them at all times.

Mō te tūnga | About the role
As an Adoption Service social worker, you will be part of a team of four social workers, a supervisor and a workplace administrator. Travel around the Wellington and Wairarapa region is a requirement of this role (including overnight on rare occasions).
Adoption Social work has responsibilities to provide services under the Adoption Act 1955, Adult Adoption Act 1985, and Adoption (Inter-country) Act 1997.
The Adoption Service work includes:

Supporting adults who have historically placed a child for adoption and those who were adopted
Training, educating and assessing adoptive applicants for domestic and international adoptions
Assessing applicants who are having a child through a surrogacy arrangement - both domestically and internationally
Writing reports to the Court
Writing child study requests and home studies for intercountry adoptions
Working with birthparents who are exploring adoption
Supporting the placement of children in adoptive homes.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring.
We are looking for candidates that demonstrate the following:

Registered with the Social Work Registration Board and hold a current Practice Certificate
Knowledge of and interest in adoption social work in Aotearoa
Exceptional listening skills and proven ability to quickly build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds
Strong cultural competency and be a promoter of working with Oranga Tamariki's practice framework
Critical thinking - you know how to gather information and make good evidence-based decisions
A high degree of both verbal and written communication skills which includes formal report writing
Resilient, motivated and caring nature with a positive "can do" attitude
Enthusiasm for and commitment to continuous learning
Flexibility to work afterhours as required
Good computer navigation and typing skills
A full, valid and clean New Zealand's driver's licence and the ability to travel as required.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you?
We are a values-based Ministry that offer's flexible work options, a commitment to kaimahi wellbeing, opportunities for development and a supportive team. For a full list of our employment benefits please visit the working with us section of our careers page, or click here
This role will offer the right candidate the ability to work with a Service that is committed to professionalism, excellent client service and the ability to find creative solutions to challenges, in a role where no two days are the same. If you are looking for a role where your voice will be listened to, your input valued and a strong client-centred commitment is important in your day-to-day job, then we would like to hear from you.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Apply online with your CV and covering letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.
If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Application close date: Thursday 31st October 2024

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.

Oranga Tamariki is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also support flexible working arrangements.