Social Worker, Maternal Mental Health
Experienced Mental Health and Addictions Registered Social Worker required
Location: Palmerston North, Permanent Fulltime
Why This is a Great Role
Te Whatu Ora MidCentral is seeking one dedicated Registered Social Worker with expertise in mental health and addiction to join our Maternal Mental Health Services team. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of mama, papa, pepi, and whanau experiencing perinatal mental health and addiction challenges.
In this role, you will provide specialist mental health care, supporting individuals through a critical period of emotional and psychological vulnerability. Your experience in mental health and addiction will be instrumental in shaping our service and delivering compassionate, expert care tailored to the unique needs of whanau whaiora.
Benefits
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.- A learning-focused environment that fosters professional growth in mental health and addiction treatment.
- A collaborative and supportive team, dedicated to evidence-based, whanau-centred care.
- Meaningful work with a holistic approach to maternal mental health and addiction.
- Tailored wellness programmes for both staff and service users.
About the Role
As a Registered Social Worker specialising in maternal mental health and addiction, you will provide high-quality clinical care to women and whanau facing complex psychological and substance use challenges during the perinatal period. Collaborating within an interdisciplinary team, you will help integrate mental health, addiction, and maternity care to ensure whanau receive comprehensive and culturally responsive support.
About the Team/Service/ Location
Our Maternal Mental Health Service is focused on early intervention and whanau-centred care, ensuring the best possible mental health and addiction outcomes during the first 2000 days of life. We provide specialist support for perinatal mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, helping mama, papa, pepi, and whanau navigate this transformative stage of life with resilience and support.
The service is currently expanding, offering an exciting opportunity for a passionate mental health and addiction expert to contribute to its growth and development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of perinatal mental health care, ensuring best-practice interventions and high-quality whanau-centred treatment.
Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees. We actively seek Maori kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
MidCentral region offers an excellent lifestyle for families with scenic spots for hiking and mountain-biking, great schools and tertiary institutions. With the mountains, city and sea at your doorstep, you'll get to taste the best of both worlds - the perfect blend of rural and city living.
About the Location
Manawatu is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life.
It's a family- friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities
- beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks.
Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight.
We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes- Massey University and the International Pacific College.
For more information on living and working in the Manawatu click here
Key Responsibilities- Provide specialist mental health and addiction care, supporting mama experiencing specialist maternal mental health presentations.
- Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team, integrating mental health and addiction treatment into holistic maternal care plans.
- Prioritise early intervention, developing tailored whanau-centred support strategies.
- Promote culturally responsive care, ensuring equitable health outcomes for Maori and Pasifika families.
- Play an active role in service development, supporting continuous improvements in perinatal mental health and addiction services.
- Registered Social Worker with expertise in mental health and addiction treatment.
- Experience or strong interest in maternal and perinatal mental health.
- Passion for whanau-centred, integrated care, ensuring the wellbeing of both parents and infants.
- Strong ability to work within a dynamic team, shapin