woodsies

Hi all
New to this - have just graduated with the above degree, and am looking for work in social care in NZ
We have just returned from a 3-week recky of the country and loved Christchurch.
Anyone got any experience of social work jobs in NZ? and how easy it would be to get a job offer?

Archangel

Send me a PM and we can have a chat.

bjtb

wHY DONT YOU CONTACT THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY CHILD YOUTH & FAMILY.

woodsies

Thank you for responses so far.
Cant send any PMs yet, as
'The administrator has restricted use of the private message system to members with more than 3 posts' - still learning!

karonious

Well post again!!!

himmeus

Hi Woodsie
I too am in the same postion and I wondered if youd been successful in obtaining any useful info that i could benfit from?Sorry to be so cheeky
Many thanks

LizaJane

are you looking for a particular job or area of work 'social care" can cover a huge range of things. What about DHB's, have you contacted any of them? or looked into Government agencies etc?

woodsies

Below is a cut and pasted response I have had from a member. The government website department for children and families has some good info too.
watch this space

quote
I am a qualified social worker. Abit of history about me: I had no prior experience of NZ but liked the sound of it, which was in April 2006, but after applying online on SEEK Job search in June 2006 i had a couple of job offers. i submitted EOI, but by September 2006 there was no repone so in November 2006 I went to NZ with my family. When we arrived I contacted NZ immigration when and was told that I had been appointed a case work in the UK and an ITA had been sent week ago to my old address. Luckly NZ sent it out again and after some ups and down I eventually got my residency in January 2007. I am currently employed full time [8am -4pm] by a large, as Service Delivery Manager working within mental health. NZ has a big shortage in the area of Children's services, Adult mental health and probation services. They usually want people to have some experience especially working in NZ, but thats not possible if you've never lived or worked there before. They like you to have some back ground knowledge about the Treaty and what it means in relation to working with Kiwi's Islanders and especially Moari. They require you to be registered but if you have the right certificate you will be classed as eligible to be registered because you cannot get registration without full time employment. I would say to you if you can get some work experience then do that for a bit, but if your really keen on coming then go for it cause if you show comitment you will get the job that you want.
unquote

woodsies

Thanks for tips!

himmeus

Thanks for the useful info.I am currently working as a senior housing officer specialising in resettling individuals with primarily mental heath needs but this includes complex needs eg drug and alcohol etc.
My background is in care and support however ,I would like to continue in the area I am currently working in but appreciate I am going to have to know the New Zealand laws and government agencies which might possibly put me at a disadvantage.I am prepared to do whatever it takes to get the knowledge needed eg voluntary work,college etc.I intend to follow the leads I have been given and see where it leads.
Big thanks to you all for your responses.

desert bloom

hello..

i'm in the same field too..have been a scheme manager for mental health projects and finally project manager for a housing association for over 5 years now...will be landing in chch ina few weeks..albeit to study...i have been looking for full time jobs for the last year (before i decided to study ie) and contacted several agencies but all came back zilch...i'm hoping once i'm there i can meet people/agencies personally...it has been a bit dissappointing..the lack of jobs ie...
i am doing a course in health science which will hopefully help me understand the system there better and do voluntary and part time work in time for a full time job in a yrs time...is there any one else who's actually found work in mental health/social care field?

i have seen some jobs in the cdhb website but is this reserved for people with pr?

thanks for the suggestions and all the best to you guys out there job hunting!!