Dyadic Development Practice Practitioner

Are you passionate about supporting tamariki and whānau to heal, connect, and thrive? Do you have experience working with developmental trauma, attachment, and therapeutic parenting approaches?

We are looking for an experienced Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) Practitioner to join our innovative Te Korowai Mokopuna (TKM) multidisciplinary team in Māngere. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a community-led, trauma-informed service designed to strengthen whānau wellbeing and improve outcomes for tamariki.

About The Role

As our DDP Practitioner, you will provide DDP-informed therapeutic interventions that strengthen the relationship between tamariki and their parents/caregivers. You will bring specialist expertise in attachment, developmental trauma, emotional regulation, and relational practice while supporting a multidisciplinary team of social workers, early childhood teachers, and group facilitators.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver individual, dyadic, family, and group therapeutic interventions.
• Complete assessments of attachment relationships, trauma impacts, strengths, and risks.
• Develop and implement tailored therapeutic plans for tamariki and caregivers.
• Coach and support caregivers to use therapeutic parenting approaches.
• Provide psychoeducation on attachment, trauma, emotional regulation, and child development.
• Coach, mentor, and enhance DDP-informed practice across the wider TKM team.
• Contribute to integrated service planning and multidisciplinary case reviews.
• Build strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders.

Essential

What You'll Bring

• A recognised social services qualification and professional registration.
• DDP Level 1 training.
• Current full New Zealand driver's licence.
• At least 3-5 years' experience delivering DDP-informed therapeutic interventions.
• Experience working alongside whānau and tamariki impacted by trauma, adversity, attachment challenges, and disconnection.
• Strong understanding of developmental trauma and attachment-informed practice.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and teamwork skills.

Desirable

• DDP Level 2 training.
• Clinical psychology qualification and registration.
• Experience delivering training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Knowledge of therapeutic group work and family-focused interventions.
• Experience working within the not-for-profit sector.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a pioneering, integrated service supporting tamariki and whānau in South Auckland.
• Work within a collaborative multidisciplinary team.
• Bring your specialist trauma-informed expertise to influence practice and outcomes.
• Access ongoing professional development and DDP supervision.
• Contribute to meaningful, long-term change in the lives of children and families.

Embody Our Values

• Kotahitanga (unity): Cultivate a sense of belonging through meaningful relationships with rangatahi, colleagues, and the wider community
• Mahi tōtika (excellence): Demonstrate unwavering integrity and purpose in all aspects of your work, striving for the highest standards of care
• Kaikōkiritanga (innovation): Drive positive change with creativity, constantly seeking new and effective ways to support rangatahi
• Āta whakarongo (active listening): Let rangatahi voices shape your approach, ensuring their perspectives are central to decision-making
• Māiatanga (empowerment): Nurture growth and unlock potential in both rangatahi and colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development

About Barnardos Aotearoa

Barnardos Aotearoa is a children’s charity working with tamariki and whānau to ensure every child in Aotearoa has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Our unique combination of social services, early learning, care services and counselling helpline provides the broadest range of child and whānau-centred services in Aotearoa.

Each year, we work with more than 30,000 tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across the country.

Apply Now

If you're committed to relationship-based practice, believe in the power of connection, and want to help tamariki and whānau thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

If you would like a copy of the position description, please email recruitment@barnardos.org.nz

In your email, please quote the ID number: 1698292

We will progress applications as we receive them, so if you feel you are the right person for the role, apply today!

Join us in building stronger relationships, healing trauma, and creating brighter futures for tamariki and whānau.