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 lisa@mailighthouse.org.nz
This role will close when a suitable applicant has been found. We encourage early applications.
