Social Worker - Invercargill Forensic Mental Health Team

Social Worker - Invercargill Forensic Mental Health Team

Invercargill

• Permanent part-time 0.5 FTE
• Great work / life balance

About the Role

We are looking for a Social Worker to join the Forensic Community Mental Health Team. You will be working with tāngata whaiora (service users) within the Invercargill Men's Prison and those who are based within the community.

You will be part of a supportive and experienced multi-disciplinary team that provides specialist care to tāngata whaiora with complex mental health needs, with co-existing factors of offending and high-risk behaviours. Your areas of professional interest will be fostered.  

We aim to facilitate assessment, treatment and recovery by employing a holistic array of interventions to help tāngata whaiora. We are guided by relational security aspects of care to promote safety and protection for all. We offer an MDT approach to specialised assessment and care for adults who are referred by the courts or prison. We work within a framework of clinical governance and are a progressive service committed to providing a culture of ongoing professional development for staff through regular supervision, an excellent professional development and recognition programme (PDRP) and regular in-service training.

The successful applicant will also be supported by the broader Mental Health Addictions, Intellectual Disability Services network of Social Workers.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Forensic Community Mental Health Team  is part of the Mental Health Addiction and Intellectual Disability Services (MHAID). The service has adult, youth and community services.

The Forensic Community Mental Health Team  is a dynamic and supportive workplace where autonomous practice, research, professional development is supported.

You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals committed to the delivery of gold standard care to the population we serve. We offer you a warm, pleasant working environment in a modern low-rise building, very good resources and the opportunity to work and develop professionally within a progressive and friendly team that is well supported by management. 

About You

• To be considered for the role you should have social work registration with the New Zealand Social Work Registration Board (SWRB). 
• You should also have a current, clean driver license.
• Be eligible to live and work in New Zealand.
• Candidates should have previous experience in mental health social work, ideally but not essential, experience in forensic mental health.
• You should be a confident and effective communicator, truly passionate about your work and hold an unwavering belief in people's recovery

Salary range:

This role belongs to the PSA/DHBs Allied, Public Health and Technical Multi-Employer Collective Agreement and falls between Step 1 ($77,087 p.a) and Step 8 ($110,210 p.a pro rata) of the Degree-Based Allied, Public Health and Technical scale.

The Location

Life is kind in Invercargill. If it's the city life you crave, you'll find it here, there is also beautiful scenery and loads of attractions right on your doorstep.  Boasting a lively restaurant and café scene, not to mention world class local attractions like Bill Richardson Transport World and Motorcycle Mecca. The Southern district offers the benefits of excellent amenities, first class primary through to tertiary education.  Whether it's surfing, kayaking or sailing; skiing, hunting or fishing; there's literally something for everyone.

It's all here waiting - the opportunity to create a fantastic work/life balance is within your reach.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Sunday 19 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.