Location: Otahuhu, Auckland
Employment Type: Full-time
Application Deadline: 17 March 2026
Family Start Social Worker
Strengthen Whānau | Champion Tamariki | Support Positive Futures
We are seeking a compassionate and committed Family Start Social Worker to join our Family Start service at the Anglican Trust for Women & Children (ATWC). Family Start is a child-centred, intensive home-visiting programme supporting whānau with young children to strengthen health, learning, safety, and wellbeing outcomes.
In this role, you will walk alongside whānau from pregnancy through early childhood, building trusted relationships, supporting positive change, and advocating for tamariki within their wider community.
This is a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau during their most important early years.
About Us
The Anglican Trust for Women & Children (ATWC) is a major Auckland family charity and one of the city’s oldest, supporting mothers, tamariki, and whānau since 1858.
Through our family services, early education services, and social services, we are committed to investing in Auckland’s children and supporting the happy, healthy futures they deserve.
Our Mission
To support whānau to nurture their tamariki and give them a happy, healthy, and secure future.
Our Vision
Resilient, empowered, and connected whānau and communities.
Our Values
- Aroha – relationships that are genuine and non-judgmental.
- Whakawhanaungatanga – establishing positive connections and relationships.
- Kaitiakitanga – protecting people’s spiritual, mental, physical and social well -being.
- Māiatanga – empowering resilience.
- Tūmanako – aspiration for the present and future
About the Role
As a Family Start Social Worker, you will deliver intensive, strengths-based support to whānau to promote positive outcomes for tamariki.
You will:
-
Deliver regular home visits to whānau in line with Family Start programme requirements
-
Manage a caseload of approximately 15–16 families
-
Complete assessments, family plans, and regular reviews
-
Support whānau through strengths-based, child-centred interventions
-
Identify and respond appropriately to risk and safety concerns
-
Advocate for tamariki and whānau with community and statutory services
-
Maintain accurate, timely case notes and documentation
-
Work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies
What We’re Looking For:
Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Social Work or a relevant qualification
Skills and Experience
- Experience working with whānau, tamariki, or within the community or social services sector
- Strong relationship-building, communication, and organisational skills
- A child-centred, strengths-based approach to practice
- Ability to work independently and as part of a supportive team
- Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Full, clean NZ Driver Licence
- Legal entitlement to work in New Zealand
Desired Attributes
- Warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental in approach
- Strong belief in whānau strengths and potential for positive change
- Culturally competent, with deep respect for Māori values, tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Able to build high-trust relationships in complex or vulnerable situations
- Emotionally resilient and able to remain calm under pressure
- Confident navigating challenging conversations around safety and wellbeing
- Skilled in maintaining professional boundaries while being relational and approachable
- Well-organised and able to manage competing priorities and documentation requirements
- Reflective practitioner committed to continuous learning and supervision
- Passionate about early childhood development and long-term outcomes for tamariki
What ATWC Offers
- Free onsite parking
- Opportunities for ongoing professional development
- An additional 15 days of paid leave per annum
- A supportive and collaborative team environment
Join an organisation where every role counts, every voice matters, and your work directly supports our mission and values.
How to Apply
If this role resonates with you and you meet the brief, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply via the SEEK listing using the link below:
Family Start Social Worker | SEEK NZ
Applications close on 17 March 2026.
Only applicants legally entitled to work in New Zealand will be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
