Provides care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.

Supports families and provides education and care for children and disabled persons in adult service units, group housing and government institutions; assesses clients' needs and plans, develops and implements educational, training and support programmes; interviews clients and assesses the nature and extent of difficulties; monitors and reports on the progress of clients.

• Works indoors in offices within government or community service agencies. Frequently works in group homes, family homes or other group care facilities.
• Usually works in adequately heated and ventilated offices as a base, but may work in a variety of community and private care environments.
• Likely to be working with people in very stressful and complicated personal situations.

• Sedentary to occasionally heavy physical demand level.
• Frequently sits when meeting with clients and their families and when completing reports or case notes.
• Stretching up and reaching across may be required if assessing clients needs.
• Bending squatting, crouching and kneeling is may be required depending on the degree of care required.
• Twisting of the body or neck is not a significant component of the job.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is not a significant component of the job.
• Lifting, carrying and holding does not typically exceed the sedentary to light range but this is dependant on the nature of the care offered.
• Repetitive movement of the hands is likely when using a computer. Repetitive movements however, are typically not a significant component of the job.
• Driving is likely to be occasionally required.
• Use of objects/materials will include computers, diaries and other record-keeping and office equipment.
• Mental activities necessary include assessment, computing, communication, decision-making, report writing, and good communication skills with cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

A New Zealand Register Level 5 or 6 qualification or at least three years relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2). In some instances particular experience and/or on-the-job training may be required. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be all that is necessary. Making application to work in this role is likely to involve a police background check.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.