SCHEDULE THREE
Position Description
Role Title:
Social Worker - Family Support
Unit:
Auckland
Reporting to:
Service Manager
Date created:
October 2010
# Direct reports:
0
Date last updated:
March 2015
Barnardos Purpose
We support, challenge and empower families, communities and society to make Aotearoa
New Zealand the best place to be a child.
Barnardos Values
Integrity Respect Success Passion
Barnardos Core Principles
Manaakitanga - Looking after our people
Whanaungatanga - Family
Kaikokiritanga - Empowerment
Wairuatanga - Integrity
Kaitiakitanga - Stewardship
Aroha - Unconditional love
Purpose of the role
The purpose of the Social Worker role is to work directly with children and families in their
own environment to help develop resiliency, reinforce positive parenting, and assist children
and families to access community resources.
Context
At Barnardos we believe that ‘children come first’ ko ngā tamariki I te tuatahi and we are
proud to be one of Aotearoa’s largest not-for-profit organisations, with over 140 years of
history. Barnardos has an annual budget in excess of $45m and has provided a broad
range of services for children, young people and their whanau/families throughout Aotearoa/
New Zealand since 1972.
Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi – Regardless of whether we are the servant or the chief,
working together we will complete the task
Key accountabilities
Working with children and families
 Work with children and families utilising a range social work skills and strategies
consistent with the relevant Barnardos practice approach and framework.
 Ensure that the individual needs of children are jointly assessed with the family using the
specified assessment framework in all cases.
 Identify and utilise appropriate interventions and resources available to assist the client
family.
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 Ensure that measurable action plans are developed in consultation with the family, are
implemented and are regularly reviewed.
 Ensure that interventions are effective or alternative strategies are sought.
 Ensure that families use their strengths, support networks, and resources independently
to develop greater resiliency and maintain a positive and safe environment for their
children and family within their community.
 Ensure that referrals are made to other agencies where appropriate.
 Complete work in accordance with Barnardos policies and procedures and the
professional body standards of practice and code of ethics.
Relationships
 Develop and maintain client relationships that:
o Take into account individual differences and the cultural and social context of the
client’s situation
o are respectful
o validate the clients’ experience, beliefs and values and acknowledge clients’
expertise in their own lives
o encourage participation in the working relationship
o allow the client to gain control over their circumstances
o ensure client safety
o maintain appropriate professional boundaries
o are in line with Barnardos core principles and values.
 Develop strong collaborative relationships with government and non-government
agencies, local community networks and local iwi to ensure children and families receive
coordinated service provision.
Group Education
 Where required, contribute to the development of group programmes and delivery of
them to children and families to directly reinforce one-to-one work, and contribute to
positive outcomes for children.
Practice Standards
 Ensure that referrals are assessed and allocated or placements made within appropriate
time frames.
 Ensure that practices are consistent with the Children, Young Person’s and their
Families Act (1989), Care of Children Act 2004, Barnardos policies and procedures and
other relevant legislation.
 Adhere to the Code of Ethics and associated codes of conduct related to the Social Work
profession e.g. ANZASW Objects of Association and SWRB Code of Conduct.
 Participate in professional and team development and up-skilling, including peer
supervision and case reviews.
 Maintain membership of the appropriate professional body.
 Integrate professional development and training into practice.
Administration
 Ensure that documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
 Ensure that clients are provided with the relevant Barnardos policies e.g. Privacy,
Confidentiality, and Complaints.
 Follow the correct processes for disclosure of client files and client access to/copies of
their records.
 Ensure that client files are up to date and include all relevant information.
 Be accountable for personal administration including leave forms, timesheets and
statistical recording.
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Ngā Pou e Whā (Māori Strategy)
 Play a leadership role in ensuring all employees engage in Barnardos values, Ngā Pou e
Whā (Māori Strategy) and strategic plan.
 Have a sound understanding of the principles of Ngā Pou e Whā, the Treaty of Waitangi
and the ability to apply them to everyday practice.
 Ensure that all relationships are built with consideration of the Barnardos values, core
principles and Ngā Pou e Whā (Māori Strategy).
Health and Safety
 All staff have individual responsibility for Health and Safety practices and will:
o Be personally responsible for their own and others health and safety at work
o Promote and participate in health and safety, maintain a safe workplace, and
ensure that any safety equipment is used correctly at the all times
o Be familiar with policy and procedures
o Establish and insist upon safe methods and safe practices at all times.
The key accountabilities of the role may change from time to time so that Barnardos is able
to adapt to changes in the business environment.
Required skills, experience and qualifications
 Previous experience in working with children and families is desirable.
 Previous experience in working with a social work case management framework.
 Ability to demonstrate reflective practice skills.
Leadership competencies
The competencies listed under ‘core’ and ‘individual contributor’ are relevant to this role.
Level of authority
As defined by Barnardos Policies, Budgets and Delegated Financial, Operational and Staff
Authorities.
Authorisation of Position Description
Prepared by:
(Name and title)
Authorised by:
(Name and title of manager)
Signed by:
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(Name of position holder)
Date:
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