Social Worker - Arohata

Social Worker – Arohata Women's Prison - Tawa

Arohata Women's Prison is one of three women's prisons within the network in New Zealand. At Arohata, we've been working hard to better serve the unique needs of women. Our Women's Strategy, "Wāhine: E Rere Ana Ki te Pae Hou," Women's Strategy 2021 - 2025 sets the stage for a gender-specific, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach.

Our Women's Strategy is an essential component of our approach, prioritising tailored interventions and services designed to address the unique risks and needs of women. We acknowledge the intricate web of severe trauma, mental health challenges, substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, and poverty that often underpin their involvement in criminal activities. We are committed to managing women in a manner that is trauma-informed and empowering, recognising their resilience and potential for positive change.

About the role

The Social Worker role plays a pivotal role in fostering the well-being of incarcerated women, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable individuals and mothers. As part of a diverse multi-disciplinary team comprising corrections officers, case managers, program facilitators, and healthcare professionals, the Social Worker collaborates to ensure the welfare of women in prison, guiding them through their period of incarceration and facilitating their transition towards a brighter future for both them and their children upon release.

This position is primarily focused on providing tailored support to incarcerated mothers, assisting them in maintaining their parenting roles, navigating through statutory child protection procedures, and strengthening their bonds with their children. Additionally, it involves spearheading best practices within mothers with baby's units, offering guidance to pregnant women throughout their term in prison, and aiding in pre-planning for their child's future. The role extends to supporting young women in positive youth development, facilitating access to appropriate support services for transgender men and women, and closely collaborating with statutory child protection agencies when mothers are incarcerated. Moreover, it entails the exploration of innovative approaches to promote the well-being of women within the prison environment.

Skills and experience

The ideal candidate should possess a robust understanding of social work principles and practices, particularly in relation to working with women, including those who have experienced trauma.

• They should demonstrate proficiency in operating within a Māori cultural framework and exhibit comprehension of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Candidates should showcase knowledge and application of trauma-informed practice models, along with the ability to exercise sound professional judgment tailored to individual needs.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills are paramount, enabling the candidate to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and maintain professional boundaries.
• Adaptability and flexibility are key, as is the ability to navigate challenging situations with a positive demeanour.
• Be able to recognise when to seek guidance on operational matters and demonstrate adeptness in managing time and workload effectively.
• Successful applicants must hold a Social Work qualification recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board is essential, though consideration will be given to graduates with provisional registration.

The benefits

The midpoint of the salary range is $95,673 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $82,886 - $102,194 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 18th October, 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact jess.escott@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.

We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.