Youth Support Worker

Are you ready to make a difference every day?

He Kōrero Mō Mātou | About Us

Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa is a national provider of mental health, addiction, disability, offender rehabilitation, wellbeing, and housing services. We believe that everyone is capable of living full and rich lives in their communities of choice. In every aspect of our work, we are committed to helping whānau (families) be the best they can be.

He Kōrero Mō Te Tūranga | The Role

We are seeking 1 x Part-Time Youth Support Worker (16 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday morning shifts 7:00am - 3:30pm) and 1 x Casual Youth Support Worker to join our Youth Remand - Wharf Road Service based in Te Atatū Peninsula. This Pacific-led residential service supports rangatahi (young people) who are on community placement following involvement with the youth justice system.

Working within a therapeutic and supportive environment, you will help rangatahi build life skills, strengthen connections with their whānau and communities, and work towards positive futures. This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with rostered shifts across mornings (7:00am - 3:30pm), afternoons (3:00pm - 11:30pm), and wake over shifts (11:00pm - 7:30am), with casual staff covering shifts across the full roster.

You will:

• Build positive and trusting relationships with rangatahi and their whānau.
• Provide day-to-day support aligned with care plans, risk management plans, and safety plans.
• Use strengths-based approaches to support rangatahi to identify goals, build independence, develop resilience, and achieve positive outcomes.
• Support rangatahi to develop life skills, cultural awareness, and strong connections with their families, communities, and support networks.
• Encourage participation in education, vocational activities, recreation, and other meaningful opportunities that support personal growth and self-determination.
• Help create safer communities by supporting rangatahi to make positive choices and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
• Work within a service that embraces Māori and Pacific models of wellbeing and demonstrates a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi).
• Monitor wellbeing and appropriately report and document incidents, concerns, or changes.
• Maintain accurate client records and case notes using client management systems.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, Oranga Tamariki, community providers, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment where staff can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.
• For casual employees, there may be opportunities to progress into permanent employment.

He Kōrero Mōu | About You

You are passionate about supporting young people and can build strong relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. You bring resilience, patience, sound judgement, and a genuine commitment to supporting positive outcomes for rangatahi from diverse backgrounds.

You will bring:

• NZ Certificate in Health & Wellbeing Level 4 (or equivalent), or a commitment towards obtaining the relevant minimum qualification within the required timeframe.
• Previous experience in a Support Worker role or within youth, mental health, disability, social services, community services, or related settings.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A calm, patient, and solutions-focused approach when managing challenging situations.
• Knowledge of community resources and support networks is advantageous.
• Knowledge of the Youth Justice System is desirable.
• Must hold and maintain First Aid certification including CPR (or be willing and able to complete this).
• A full, clean NZ driver licence.

Ko Tā Mātou Mahi | We Offer

Join us to experience a work environment where values are lived every day. You will be proud to apply your skills and make a difference.

We offer:

• Pay rate: $25.67 - $30.52 per hour
• Access to extensive wellbeing support – including counselling, budgeting advice, coaching services, and mental health workshops to support your hauora (wellbeing) and personal growth.
• Staff discounts with Southern Cross Health, PB Tech, Harvey Norman, Anytime Fitness, and more.
• Generous leave entitlements (part-time role only): including wellbeing leave, cultural leave, and study leave (where applicable).
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Inclusive and supportive teams grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and our Pou.
• Opportunities to grow within one of Aotearoa's largest for-purpose organisations.

Your Career. For People. For Purpose.