Support Worker

• Hamilton, Waikato | Permanent, Full-Time | 32 hours per week
• Extra week leave | Two paid wellbeing days | Other wellbeing benefits
• Community-based mental health support where no two days look the same

Work alongside tāngata whai ora and whānau in their own homes and communities, supporting recovery, independence and meaningful change.

We're looking for someone who brings compassion, initiative, sound judgement and a genuine belief in people's ability to shape their own recovery journey. If you enjoy variety, meaningful relationships and working independently with a supportive team behind you, we'd love to hear from you.

Pathways | Mō mātou

Pathways is a leading national provider of community-based mental health, addiction and wellbeing services across Aotearoa. We support people to live full and meaningful lives in their communities. Our personalised approach is guided by our Ahakoa te aha – Whatever it takes wairua and spirit.

The Benefits | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

• Increased employer KiwiSaver contribution
• Fifth week of annual leave after 12 months of employment
• Two paid wellbeing days each year
• $250 Extraordinary Payment Card each year to support the health and wellbeing of you and your whānau
• Perk & Perk Plus employee discounts
• Ongoing training, coaching and professional development
• The opportunity to develop your skills within an experienced multidisciplinary community team

The Role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

This isn't your traditional Support Worker role. Your workplace extends across Hamilton, wherever people live, connect and participate in their communities.

Working Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 1:00pm to 9:30pm, you'll provide purposeful, recovery-focused support to adults experiencing mental health and/or addiction challenges.

No two days look alike. You might support someone to develop everyday living skills, work towards their recovery goals, attend a healthcare appointment or reconnect with whānau and community services. As the evening progresses, you'll provide planned Community Medication Support, following safe processes while building people's confidence and independence in managing their health.

You'll manage an allocated caseload under the guidance of the Team Coach, plan community visits and respond flexibly to changing needs. Although much of your work is independent, you'll collaborate closely with Support Workers, Peer Support Workers, nurses and other health professionals.

You will:

• Build trusting relationships and support tāngata whai ora to identify and work towards meaningful recovery goals.
• Provide practical, strengths-based support that builds confidence, everyday living skills and independence rather than dependency.
• Promote informed choice, self-determination and ownership of personal goals and aspirations.
• Provide safe, person-centred Community Medication Support in accordance with established processes.
• Apply trauma-informed, culturally safe approaches grounded in trust, emotional and physical safety, choice and empowerment.
• Strengthen connections with whānau, healthcare, housing, cultural supports and community resources.
• Recognise how mental health, addiction, physical health, culture and social wellbeing influence recovery.
• Manage your caseload, maintain accurate documentation and communicate effectively with clinical teams and community partners.

This work is meaningful, varied and sometimes unpredictable. You'll need to think on your feet, respond calmly when plans change and use sound judgement in community environments. Sometimes Ahakoa te aha – Whatever it takes means finding a different way forward alongside someone, rather than doing things for them.

About You | Mōu

We're looking for someone relational, curious and confident working independently, who sees the person beyond their diagnosis.

You don't need all the answers. You do need to listen, learn, communicate well and genuinely believe that recovery looks different for everyone.

You will:

• Hold a full NZ Driver Licence and be confident driving throughout Hamilton.
• Hold a current First Aid Certificate or be willing to obtain one.
• Hold a Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, recognised equivalent, or be willing to work towards this qualification.
• Ideally bring experience in mental health, addiction, community support or another people-focused environment.
• Build respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Demonstrate trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Bring sound judgement, initiative, reliability and strong organisational, communication and documentation skills.
• Work safely and confidently in people's homes and communities, remaining accountable to your team.

Above all, you'll believe people deserve genuine choice, dignity and ownership over their own lives.

So why Enhanced Hamilton Mobile?

Because good community support isn't about doing things for people. It's about walking alongside them as they build the skills, confidence, relationships and connections that matter to them.

Sometimes progress is small. Sometimes it's life-changing. Every step matters.

You'll have variety, professional development and a supportive multidisciplinary team behind you, with the opportunity to see what meaningful support can achieve in the community.

Closing Date: 27 November 2026. Please note, this job advert may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.

Contact | Whakapā: Dita Donaldson, Team Coach - Social Worker - Peer dita.donaldson@pathways.co.nz

Position Description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PW-Support-Worker.pdf

For further information, visit our website www.pathways.co.nz

Pathways is committed to healthy lifestyles and actively supports a smoke free environment. We encourage people with lived experience of mental illness & addictions to apply.