Applying for a job with Child, Youth and Family

In your final years of study, you are encouraged to apply for a student placement with Child, Youth and Family.  This will give you insight into our organisation, while building your knowledge, skills and practical social work experience.  

To secure a placement with Child Youth and Family, please contact your tertiary institute’s Field Work Coordinator who will be able to assist you.

Apply online for one of the advertised social work vacancies on our website. Submitting your application online is the quickest and easiest way to apply. 

You need to complete the application to a high standard, so take the time to ensure the information you submit represents you in the best possible way.   When completing competency examples use real life experiences that demonstrate the required skill. This will also show us your ability to write clearly and concisely.   The position description will give you an understanding of which competencies to cover.

Tip: Before clicking on the apply now button, have your CV and cover letter ready and saved where you can easily browse to upload them when asked..

As part of the short-listing process you may be contacted by telephone to talk about your application, experience and motivation to work for us.

You may also be asked to complete an online verbal reasoning assessment. Verbal reasoning is an important attribute for a social worker to have. This is a simple online assessment and no preparation or study is needed.

If you are selected for an interview well done – you’re halfway there! The panel who interview you will consist of senior staff members and potentially a community stakeholder representative.

The interview will follow a structured process with questions that relate to the competencies necessary to be a social worker. We will be looking for specific examples from your past experiences to prove to us you have what it takes to do the job. The position description gives you more information around these competencies.

You may also be asked to conduct a brief work sample exercise that is based on social work practice and this could take place before or after the interview.

Pre-existing conditions: If you are shortlisted you will be asked whether you have any physical or medical conditions or disabilities that might prevent you from performing the position satisfactorily. If you require special services or facilities, and if it is reasonable for the Ministry to provide these, then we will work to accommodate you. Letting us know that you have a medical condition or disability will not exclude you from being considered for the position.

Pre-existing conditions: If you are interviewed for the position you will be asked whether you have any physical or medical conditions or disabilities that might prevent you from performing the position satisfactorily. If you require special services or facilities, and it is reasonable for the Ministry to provide these, then we will work to accommodate you. Letting us know that you have a medical condition or disability will not exclude you from being considered for the position.

Referees: Child, Youth and Family will talk with two or three referees to check your suitability for a career with us as a social worker. Appropriate referees could be past or present employers and ideally will be your supervisor or manager, or someone that you report/reported to.

Background checks: Because of the nature of our work, Child, Youth and Family complete a very in-depth background checking process on our preferred candidates.  

• Criminal convictions check: It’s important to note that the Clean Slate Act (2004) does not apply to most roles within Child, Youth and Family as they either involve the care and protection of children and young people, or access to records for children and young people in our care. This means that when you complete the background checks authorisation form you must disclose all convictions that you have received in your lifetime, regardless of whether the crimes were committed many years ago or rehabilitation has been undertaken. More information on this can be found on our application form.
• Benefit history check: Child, Youth and Family is a service line of the Ministry of Social Development. If you are currently, or have in the past received a benefit or other support such as a student loan, student allowance or employment product or service it is important that you disclose this in your background checks authorisation form.
• CYRAS check: A Care and Protection, Youth Justice, Residences and Adoptions Services (CYRAS) check is carried out on each preferred candidate. It is important to let us know if you have ever had contact with Child, Youth and Family, either in a professional capacity or otherwise.

Providing misleading information or failing to provide information may be grounds for your application to be declined. If you are unsure about anything relating to the background checks please contact your local recruitment consultant