Support Worker - McDougall Service (Wakeover)

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

McDougall Service at Hōhepa Canterbury in Christchurch is hiring an overnight full time Support Worker to join our Somerfield team. You’ll stay awake to support five men aged 40 to 60 with personal care, medication management, meals and wellbeing during Friday and Saturday nights (11pm 7am), on a fixed 32 hours per fortnight roster. The ideal candidate is energetic, empathetic and confident working independently while reading situations, applying boundaries and offering space when needed. A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a NZ full driver’s licence and eligibility to work in NZ are essential. Salary is $23.95–$30 per hour with development and benefits. Tips: highlight overnight care experience, diabetes tasks, and community engagement, and show strong teamwork and safety mindset.

Mō mātou | About Hōhepa

Working at Hōhepa, is different from the average, you become part of our community of people, staff, volunteers, and contractors who all have a common goal - helping people to reach their full potential and lead enriched and meaningful lives in a holistic, supportive environment. We are a community leader providing services and support for people living with an intellectual disability to live their best lives and find a valued place in our society. Inspired by Dr Rudolf Steiner’s principles of anthroposophy, we seek to understand each person and situation as unique, not a one size fits all philosophy. 

Mō te tūranga | About the Role

McDougall Service is located at the Hōhepa main campus in Somerfield; We're looking for an experienced and reliable Support Worker who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team while also being confident working independently during overnight shifts

McDougall Service is home to five gentlemen aged between 40 and 60. They are semi-independent, social, and passionate about being part of the community. Over the years, they’ve built a caring and connected home environment, having known each other for a long time.

A bit about the people we support at McDougall Service:

• Ben is sociable, chatty, and quick with a joke. He enjoys music, going to the pub, and heading out for dinner with his family every fortnight. Ben uses a walker and never misses a chance for a good laugh and a lively conversation.

• Blake enjoys spending time at the library and has a real love for books and movies, especially classics like Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, Phantom of the Opera, and Mamma Mia. His favourite drink is Coca-Cola. Blake also takes part in music therapy, which he finds especially meaningful.

• Max is very connected to his flatmates, who have been his close friends for many years. He loves celebrating his birthday, visiting the library, and sharing meals with others. Max is affectionate with those closest to him and looks forward to visiting his foster family every Christmas.

• Walter is creative and passionate about both music and art therapy. His paintings, from flowers to mountain landscapes, have even been displayed in exhibitions. He enjoys gardening and reading, and he always looks forward to his annual Christmas trip to Wellington.

• Trent has a great sense of humour and is very close to his family, speaking with them daily. He enjoys visiting the library and attends Leap, a day service, on some days. Trent uses a walker and values routine and connection in his daily life

Wakeover shifts require staff to remain awake and actively engaged throughout the night. During these shifts, staff provide ongoing support to the people we support, ensuring their needs are met at any time.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with personal care

• Offering emotional support and companionship

• Monitoring wellbeing and reporting any concerns

• Supporting a person with diabetes

• Performing light household duties such as cleaning and meal preparation

• Assisting with medication management

You will be energetic, empathetic, and able to work alongside the people we support—focusing on creating a life of rich and diverse experiences. You’ll need to be confident in reading situations, problem-solving, applying boundaries, or offering space when needed. Confidence in supporting personal care, cooking, medication administration, and household tasks is essential. Most importantly, you’ll be passionate about supporting and extending people’s ability to access and be part of their wider community.

If you’re looking for a new challenge, this could be the opportunity for you. 

This position's salary scale is set by pay equity and dependant on qualification level, pays between $23.95 and $30 per hour.

Nga haora kua tohua | Rostered hours:

• Friday and Saturday 11pm to 7am

Total Hours per fortnight: 32

Mō koe | About You

You will either be an experienced Support Worker looking for a change or you are simply looking for a career where your enthusiasm and passion for helping others will make a real difference in people’s lives. To thrive in a Support Worker role at Hōhepa you will be:

• Self-motivated, energetic and flexible with a high level of initiative. 

• A team player - Work closely with and supporting your colleagues, creating a great team environment.

• A kind nature with a can-do attitude and willingness to learn and continue to develop your skills as a support worker. 

• A commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all aspects of the role. 

Nga hua o te mahi ki a Hōhepa | Benefits of working at Hōhepa

At Hōhepa, as part of our team you will:

• Have certainty of hours through fixed rosters

• Enjoy a great person to-staff ratio, allowing for more personalised support

• Work in a fun, friendly and supportive team environment

• Receive ongoing support for your professional and career development

• Support to complete a NZQF Certificate in Health and Wellbeing level, 2, 3 or 4

• Long service leave 

• Christchurch City Council Gym and Pool Membership discounts

• Untamed Organic Vegetable discount

Applicants will be progressed as they apply, so if this sounds like you, please apply now! 

Applicants must have a NZ full driver’s licence and ability to work in New Zealand.

Please note that the 90-day trial period will apply to any successful applicant who hasn’t previously worked for Hōhepa Canterbury

At Hōhepa the role of a Support Coordinator is what is often referred to in the wider healthcare sector as a Support Worker. We feel that the title Support Coordinator better reflects the nature of the role, which requires working in partnership with the people receiving support to ensure we are achieving our organisation mission of every life fully lived.