Social Worker - Christchurch Women's Prison

About this role

• Use your skills to enhance the wellbeing of women in prison!
• Work alongside the Wāhine in our care to support them to make positive change!
• Fulltime position, Templeton location at Christchurch Women's Prison, Mon - Fri 

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is committed to providing an approach for the Wāhine in our care that recognises their complex and entwined histories of severe trauma, mental health issues, substance abuse, unhealthy relationships and poverty that have often contributed to their offending.  The Women's Strategy, Wāhine: E Rere Ana Ki te Pae Hou, forms an integral part of how of we care for our Wāhine and focuses on providing women with interventions and services that meet their unique risks and needs while also managing these women in ways that are trauma-informed and empowering.

The primary purpose of the Social Worker role is to support and enhance the well-being of women in prison, particularly vulnerable women and mothers and yes, we have a mothers with babies unit here at Christchurch Women's Prison. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team including corrections officers, case managers, programmes and health staff who all work to guarantee women's wellbeing in prison and assist them to navigate their time in custody and build a better future for them and their children on release.

Mōu | About you

We are looking for someone who can actively listen and understand those we work with and who can support Wāhine to build stronger, positive relationships with their children and / or gain relevant support whilst in prison and upon their transition back into the community. To undertake this role, you will need to be comfortable walking alongside people on their journey while consistently reflecting on your own practice

To support you in the role, it would be helpful if you have an understanding of individual and group behaviour, along with demonstrated experience within a related area.

Key to your success will be the following aspects:

• An effective listener and communicator, who has the ability to build strong positive relationships with participants and other stakeholders; whanau and Mana Whenua
• Have knowledge of, or are willing to learn about Māori culture, protocols and peoples and apply kaupapa Māori practice in your work
• Prior experience in delivering and facilitating therapeutic interventions would be beneficial, either individual or, ideally, group therapy
• Have life experience that means you can work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups
• Are comfortable having their practice viewed and receptive in receiving and utilising regular feedback on their practice 
• Have experience with report writing
• Knowledge of and experience in social work with women, including those with trauma histories
• A Social Work qualification recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board is essential – we are open to graduates who have provisional registration with SWRB
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Utu ā-tau | Salary

Effective 1 July 2025 the salary range is $82,886 - $102,194 per annum across 7 levels. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://corr.nz/hr).

It is an exciting time to join us, and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau. 

We welcome applications from disabled and neurodiverse communities, all cultures, faiths, and rainbow communities, as we appreciate the richness of experience that diversity brings to our organisation. We strive to make our recruitment process fair and inclusive, and we encourage applicants to discuss reasonable accommodation with us if required at southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

If you have any questions please contact: southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz

To view the job description, click 'apply' and you will be taken through to our careers site, where you can view this.

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. 

Applications close on: Sunday, 6th July 2025

All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. 

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at  southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz.