Job Description

Employment Type — Fixed term, subject to review

Location — Based at Pukekohe High School with some travel to Mai Lighthouse, 201 King Street, Pukekohe

Reports to — Practice Manager

Hours — 40 hours per week (full time)

Start Date — As soon as possible on completion of a clear Police Vet

Remuneration — Competitive, commensurate with experience and SWRB registration

About Our Organisation

Mai Lighthouse is seeking a qualified and registered Social Worker to join our dedicated team in partnership with Pukekohe High School, supporting the community of Franklin. Our organisation is a registered charity providing wrap-around support to those in need. This includes Social Workers, Counselling, Budgeting, a Volunteer Driver Programme, Parenting and Domestic Violence programmes, alongside a range of other supports such as our JP service.

Mai Lighthouse is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and we celebrate the diversity that helps us better serve our community.

Purpose Of The Role

This is a unique dual-placement role, embedded within Pukekohe High School and supported by Mai Lighthouse. The role exists to provide direct social work support to rangatahi and their whānau, working collaboratively with school staff to identify needs, provide early intervention, and connect students and families to appropriate wrap-around services.

You will work across both Pukekohe High School and Mai Lighthouse, building trusted relationships with young people and their whānau to support their wellbeing, resilience, and long-term outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Social Work Support — Provide culturally responsive, strengths-based social work support to students and their whānau, including individual casework, crisis intervention, and needs assessments
Wrap-Around Service Navigation — Connect rangatahi and their whānau to appropriate internal and external services, including counselling, budgeting, parenting support, and community resources
School-Based Collaboration — Work closely with school staff, deans, and leadership to identify students in need of support and develop coordinated responses
Relationship Building — Develop and maintain trusted, respectful relationships with rangatahi, whānau, school staff, and community partners
Documentation & Reporting — Maintain accurate, confidential case notes and reports in accordance with organisational and professional standards
Community Liaison — Represent Mai Lighthouse within the school community and contribute to the broader wellbeing ecosystem of Franklin

Your Daily Role

Working between Pukekohe High School and the Mai Lighthouse Community Hub, you will provide direct support to students during the school day, attend relevant hui and meetings, liaise with whānau, complete case documentation, and contribute to the wider team's social work kaupapa.

About You

Registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) — essential
Relevant social work qualification (Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent) — essential
Experience working with rangatahi and whānau in a school or community setting
Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrated cultural competency
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team
Full, clean New Zealand driver's licence

To Apply

Please send a cover letter and CV to our CEO's Personal Assistant, Lisa Goodare, at [Confidential Information]

This role will close when a suitable applicant has been found. We encourage early applications.