Mātanga Tamariki

Mātanga Tamariki (Children’s Specialist)

The Mātanga Tamariki is a dedicated children’s specialist who works alongside tamariki and their whānau to improve safety, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes. This role provides holistic, child-centred support, helping tamariki and whānau navigate services across education, health, housing, justice, and social support systems.

Working within a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive framework, the Mātanga Tamariki builds trusted relationships, undertakes assessments, develops support plans, coordinates referrals, advocates for tamariki, and works collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with tamariki, whānau, and key stakeholders.
• Complete holistic assessments and develop child-centred support plans.
• Coordinate referrals and connect whānau with appropriate community and government services.
• Advocate for the rights, safety, and wellbeing of tamariki.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to risk, ensuring safeguarding practices are followed.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, reports, and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver integrated support.
• Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally safe practice, and organisational values in all aspects of the role.
• Participate in professional development, supervision, and continuous quality improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working with tamariki and whānau in community, social services, education, health, or a related field.
• A relevant qualification (social work, counselling, youth work, education, health, or similar) is preferred.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to child-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practice.
• A full New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Successful completion of a Children’s Act 2014 safety check, including Police Vetting, prior to employment.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by empowering tamariki, strengthening whānau, and contributing to positive, lasting change within our communities.