Whanau Community Worker - Manawatu #

Whanau Community Worker - Manawatu

Full Time Position

“Supporting Families, Caring for Children”

The Open Home Foundation (OHF) is a Christian Community Response and has a vision that every child and young person has the opportunity to grow up in a secure, loving family and receive a depth of care which will bless them throughout their lives.

Integral to our ongoing success are our Support Workers who ensure the needs and safety of our Tamariki are paramount. The Support Worker role plays a very important part in families’ lives, helping stabilise the placements of children with specific needs—all while demonstrating a lot of care, empathy and professionalism. This is a very demanding role looking after children/young people with autism and/or intellectual disabilities, but for the right person, the most rewarding work.

The successful applicant will have the following:

• Ideally have a Certificate in Health and Wellbeing
• Have experience providing physical, emotional and therapeutic care of vulnerable children/young people with disabilities
• Have experience working in a residential setting
• Be excellent at quickly establishing confidence, rapport and routine with the child and their family
• Have their own transport and a full clean driver’s licence
• Be First Aid certified
• Be able to work evenings and weekends, sleepovers
• Skilled to create Words and Picture Documents for children in care
• An in-depth understanding of how the role recognises the special relationship between Māori and Tauiwi and strong empathy with the organisation’s special character

Download Position Description

Download Application Information Sheet

Download OHF Mission, Vision and 'We Will Statement'

If you would like more information on the role, please:

• 
  Contact: vacancies@ohf.org.nz

Applications close: 06 February 2026 (Applicants may be appointed prior to closing date)