Kaimahi Support Worker

POSITION PURPOSE

The purpose of the Kaimahi Support Worker is to provide culturally responsive, recovery-focused support to tangata whaiora and whanau within the Residential based Mental Health and Addiction Services.

This role supports tangata whaiora through residential based engagement, caseload management, transport assistance, advocacy, service coordination, and practical day to day support using Kaupapa maori and Whanau Ora approach.

This role requires the ability to build strong relationships, maintain professional boundaries, complete accurate documentation, and work collaboratively with clinical teams, external providers to achieve positive wellbeing outcomes.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The specific duties and responsibilities associated with this role include, but is not limited to:

Direct Strategic Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned caseload of tangata whaiora.
• Support tangata whaiora to achieve goals identified within care and recovery plans.
• Provide practical, emotional, and therapeutic support within a residential setting.
• Transport and accompany tangata whaiora to appointments, programmes, and activities as required and approved.
• Maintain regular engagement and follow-up with tangata whaiora and whanau.
• Support tangata whaiora to access health, housing, education, employment and social services.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external clinician’s, clinical professionals and external providers to support coordinated care.
• Maintain accurate case notes, reports, and client records within required timeframes.
• Participate in audits, reviews, supervision, training and service improvement activities.
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with NHHT policies and procedures, and professional standards.
• Promote a culturally safe, mana enhancing, and recovery focused service environment.
• Support safe working practices and promptly report hazards, incidents and concerns to your Service Coordinator and via Safe 365 Incident Reporting System.
• Participate in regular professional supervision at a minimum of once per month.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and mandatory training requirements.
• Actively work towards maintaining competency and professional practice standards.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The following qualifications, skills and experience are assessed as relevant for this position within the NHHT:

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience working with Mental Health and/or Addiction services.
• Must enrol in and actively work towards completion of a Level 4 Mental Health qualification/certification within an agreed timeframe if not already qualified.
• Experience supporting tangata whaiora and whanau within community settings.
• Full New Zealand Drivers Licence.
• Ability to manage a caseload and work autonomously.
• Competency using Microsoft Office and electronic client management systems.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation and entering data into Noted.
• Ability to transport and accompany tangata whaiora safely within the community.
• Fluency in Te Reo Māori training would be advantageous.

Cultural awareness and understanding

• Demonstrates understanding of commitment to tikanga Maori and Whanau Ora principles.
• Ability to engage respectfully and confidently within cultural environments including marae settings.
• Demonstrates culturally safe and mana enhancing practice when engaging with tangata whaiora and other kaimahi.
• Willingness to participate in NHHT cultural activities and learning opportunities.

Tikanga Expectations

The following tikanga expectations include but are not limited to the ability to demonstrate attendance, participation, learning and engagement in:

• NHHT wananga and service activities.
• Haerenga as arranged and directed by NHHT leadership.
• Ngati Hine whakapapa and history.
• Daily karakia and tikanga practices.
• Kapa haka and cultural activities where appropriate.
• Te reo maori and Te Reo o Ngati Hine development.
• Ngati Hine tikanga and kawa.
• Significant cultural and iwi events.

Soft skills

• Ability to build positive therapeutic relationships with tangata whaiora and team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate initiative, adaptability and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate empathy, resilience, and professionalism in community-based and residential environments.

Technical skills

• Strong computer skills across Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and electronic client management systems.
• Ability to complete electronic documentation, case notes and reporting accurately.
• Ability to manage workload and work programmes effectively.
• Ability to use digital communication platforms and systems appropriately.
• Demonstrate continuous improvement focus when reviewing processes and practices.
• Safe and competent driving ability for community-based service delivery.

FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

These relationships will vary from time to time:

Internal

• Portfolio Lead for Mental Health & Addictions
• Service Coordinators
• Te Hurihanga/ Te Hononga Hou/ He Waka Toki Team
• NHHT Leadership
• All NHHT kaimahi
• The Chief Executive Officer

External

• Tangata whaiora and whanau
• Community organisations
• Health and social service providers
• Maori health provider organisations
• Government agencies
• Local Runanga, hapu, iwi and Marae
• External stakeholders and community networks

Important Information

This role is located within an all-female residential service supporting wāhine experiencing mental health and addiction challenges. The successful applicant must be able to work effectively within a gender-responsive, culturally safe, and trauma-informed environment that meets the needs of residents.