Social worker
Kaimahi toko i te ora
Social workers work in partnership with their clients and their clients' whanau/family, taking a holistic approach to recovery.
Social justice issues of discrimination and human rights, including advocacy on behalf of clients, are a major focus for social workers and are underpinned by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Social work interventions range from primarily person-focused psychosocial processes to involvement in social policy, planning and development. These include counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, family treatment and therapy as well as efforts to help people obtain services and resources in the community.
Mental health social workers usually work as social workers, care coordinators, or key workers/case managers in community teams or in inpatient services. They are employed by either DHBs or NGOs.
Find out more about social worker roles.