Social Worker

• Full-time, Permanent + Monday–Friday + New Plymouth
• Additional leave + 2 paid wellbeing days + Health & wellbeing benefits
• Are you a Registered Social Worker or Occupational Therapist?

Are you a Social Worker or OT who is passionate about working alongside taiohi and doing ‘whatever it takes’ to help young people flourish?

About REAL | Mō mātou
Our spirit is ‘loving life’ — and that’s what we strive to support our taiohi to experience.
REAL provides health and wellbeing services alongside local communities to support taiohi aged 12–24 to develop life skills, build strong connections and create positive futures. We work alongside young people, whānau, schools, and wider community networks to provide support that is meaningful, practical and responsive to their needs.
Our services have been developed with and for taiohi, reflecting what matters to them. We continue to grow our services across the motu to meet the changing needs of young people and their communities.

The Benefits | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
We want our people to feel valued and supported, so you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including:

• Increased employer KiwiSaver contribution.
• Fifth week of annual leave after 12 months of service.
• 2 paid wellbeing days each year.
• Holiday programme assistance.
• HealthNow payment card – $250 per year to support health and wellbeing for you and your whānau.
• Perk & Perk Plus discount app.
• A supportive team environment where creativity, innovation and wellbeing are valued.

The Role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
We are looking for either a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist to fill this role. We have two full-time positions available based in Taranaki, both working Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm.

You’ll join our Whetū Marewa service — meaning ‘rising star’ — our access and choice programme for young people. The name reflects the potential within every taiohi and our belief that young people can achieve healthy, connected and fulfilling lives.

Whetū Marewa is a community-based, brief and early intervention service supporting taiohi who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges, or social stressors.

As a Social Worker, you’ll provide assessment, therapeutic support and short-term, solution-focused interventions designed to create meaningful and achievable change. You’ll work alongside taiohi and their whānau to identify strengths, build resilience, increase confidence and support wellbeing.

What you can bring | He aha tōu ki tēnei tūranga
You’ll bring your experience, creativity and passion for working alongside taiohi, with a genuine belief in their strengths, potential and ability to create positive change.

You will bring:

• An understanding of local community issues and a commitment to tikanga Māori.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to upholding the mana of taiohi, whānau and the kaupapa Strong therapeutic skills and the ability to deliver effective brief and short-term interventions that achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Experience in group facilitation, creating engaging and inclusive spaces where taiohi can connect, learn, share and build confidence.
• A creative and flexible approach to practice, with the confidence to think outside the square and try different ways of engaging young people.
• Strong assessment and intervention skills, with the ability to identify strengths, build resilience and support positive change within a short-term intervention model.
• An inspiring, enthusiastic and positive outlook, with a good sense of humour and the ability to bring warmth and energy to your work.
• The ability to work confidently both independently and collaboratively, developing strong relationships with taiohi, whānau, schools, community services and other professionals.
• The ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships.

About you | Mōu
We’re looking for an experienced Registered Social Worker, preferably with 5+ years’ relevant experience in mental health, to join our REAL Youth Services team in Taranaki.

You’ll be confident working within a brief and early intervention model and comfortable balancing clinical responsibility with a flexible, youth-centred approach.

Our preferred candidate will have:

• A current New Zealand Social Work practising certificate or a current Occupational Therapist registration.
• 5+ years’ relevant mental health experience preferred.
• Experience working with young people/taiohi and whānau.
• Experience in therapeutic interventions and group facilitation.
• An understanding of local community issues and tikanga Māori.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and innovatively.
• A full New Zealand driver licence.
• A current First Aid Certificate.
• Knowledge of, and demonstrable commitment to, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Applications close: Tuesday, 29th September 2026. Please note, this advertisement may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

Position Description: Please copy and paste the following link to your browser;
Social Worker - https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Real-Social-Worker.pdf
Occupational Therapist - https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Real-Occupational-Therapist.pdf

Questions? Contact: Julie Knight, Team Coach – Social Worker, at [email protected].

For further information, visit REAL Youth Services.

Pathways is committed to healthy lifestyles and actively supports a smoke-free environment. We encourage people with lived experience of mental illness and addictions to apply.