Job Vacancies

PRACTICE LEAD FULL TIME (August 2026)

Position purpose
The Practice Lead provides coaching, training, and practice development leadership to YCD kaimahi across all three rōpu. The role builds kaimahi capability through strengths-based coaching, trauma-informed practice, reflective learning, and continuous professional development. Working alongside the Pouākai, Operations Manager, and Quality Lead, the Practice Lead supports consistent, culturally grounded practice that improves outcomes for taiohi and whānau.
This role strengthens practice across YCD by developing kaimahi capability, embedding culturally grounded approaches, and ensuring programs remain responsive to the needs of taiohi and whānau. The Practice Lead is not a line-management role; it works alongside Pouākai, the Operations Manager, and the Quality Lead to connect coaching, training, program development, and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities
Practice development and coaching
Provide strengths-based coaching and mentoring to kaimahi across all rōpu to build confidence, capability, and practice quality. Embed trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centred practice across all mahi. Facilitate reflective practice sessions, case reviews, and learning conversations. Work alongside the Pouākai to integrate kaupapa Māori values and Te Ao Māori frameworks into daily practice. Support kaimahi to identify and grow their unique strengths.

Program development and oversight
Provide strategic oversight of all YCD programmes, ensuring they are evidence-informed, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs of taiohi. Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of programs, including specialist interventions such as criminogenics, to ensure they deliver positive outcomes for taiohi and whānau. Evaluate programme effectiveness and recommend changes or enhancements based on practice insights, evaluation data, and sector best practice. Ensure all programmes align with organisational values, kaupapa Māori frameworks, and legislative requirements.

Training and capability building
Facilitate weekly Monday morning training sessions covering trauma-informed practice, YCD policies and procedures, cultural competency, case reviews, and reflective practice. Co-design and deliver induction training in partnership with the Pouākai, ensuring consistency and cultural safety. Develop and facilitate ongoing professional development pathways alongside the Pouākai, integrating kaupapa Māori frameworks, trauma-informed practice, and strengths-based learning. Adapt training content to reflect the evolving needs of taiohi, kaimahi, whānau, and community. 

Collaboration with Pouākai
Partner with Pouākai to ensure practice development is culturally grounded and aligned with kaupapa Māori values. Support Pouākai to embed reflective practice, values-based learning, and culturally grounded approaches across the organisation. Work together on induction, training, and professional development pathways.

Collaboration with Operations Manager and Quality Lead 
Work alongside the Operations Manager and Quality Lead as part of YCD’s leadership team to align practice, operations, and quality systems. Partner with the Operations Manager to ensure practice development is operationally resourced, rostering supports training attendance, and kaimahi workloads are sustainable. Partner with the Quality Lead to integrate quality assurance insights into coaching, training, and practice development, ensuring kaimahi can respond to QA findings through reflective practice. Collaborate on program development to ensure new or changed programmes are operationally feasible, well resourced, and meet quality standards. Support kaimahi wellbeing by ensuring coaching and reflective practice is complemented by sustainable workloads and clear systems. Meet regularly to align priorities, share insights, and ensure consistent messaging to kaimahi across all three rōpu.

Team culture and support 
Foster an inclusive, collaborative, values-driven team culture across all rōpu. Support kaimahi wellbeing through coaching, reflective practice, and strengths-based engagement. Identify and nurture emerging leaders and practice champions within teams.

Operational contribution
Contribute to organisational strategy, planning, and reporting as required. Represent YCD in sector forums and community hui as needed. Support continuous improvement across all programs and programming. 

Role clarity – decision-making boundaries
The Practice Lead provides practice guidance, coaching, training, and program development advice. The role may recommend changes to practice, training, and program design, but does not hold line-management authority for kaimahi, approve leave, manage performance processes, or make final HR, budget, or operational resourcing decisions.

How the Practice Lead fits within YCD
The Practice Lead works alongside the Pouākai (practice, culture, and mentorship), the Operations Manager (systems, resources, and people), and the Quality Lead (systems and documentation). Together, they form YCD’s leadership team, meeting regularly to align priorities and support kaimahi across all rōpu. The General Manager holds final accountability for strategy, HR, and major resources. 

Kaimahi can seek guidance as follows:
For practice, culture, and mentoring → Pouākai
For practice development, coaching, and training → Practice Lead
For operations, resources, and HR → Operations Manager
For systems and documentation → Quality Lead
For organisational accountability and final decisions → General Manager 

Qualifications and experience
Candidates will be considered based on a combination of relevant qualifications and proven experience in coaching, mentoring, and practice leadership. To be successful in this role, you will have:
Relevant qualification/s in youth work, social work, counselling, psychology, education, kaupapa Māori services, or a related field; and a minimum of five years’ experience in youth work, social services, or a related sector, which must include demonstrated experience in coaching, mentoring, or practice leadership roles, such as supervising staff, facilitating reflective practice, leading professional development, or supporting kaimahi to deliver best practice across a team or service.
Additionally, you will have demonstrated experience in program development and oversight, including the ability to design, implement, and evaluate programs that respond to the complex needs of taiohi. Experience working with specialist interventions such as criminogenic programs is highly desirable.
This experience should demonstrate your ability to guide and support kaimahi in applying best practice in line with relevant legislation, organisational policies, codes of ethics, and trauma-informed, culturally grounded approaches. Experience working with and coaching staff across multiple teams or large teams is essential.

Essential skills and knowledge 

• Strong background in trauma-informed practice, strengths-based coaching, and reflective practice. 

• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, coaching, mentoring, or practice leadership, with the ability to support kaimahi to understand and apply best practice in line with legislation, organisational policies, and ethical frameworks. 

• Understanding of Te Ao Māori frameworks and commitment to bicultural practice. 

• Ability to build trust and credibility with kaimahi, whānau, and community partners. 

• Strong facilitation, communication, and analytical skills. 

• Experience in programme design, development, and evaluation, with the ability to assess existing programs and implement changes that improve outcomes for taiohi. 

• Full driver licence required.

Key competencies
Ability to identify, nurture, and grow the strengths of others.
Advanced coaching and facilitation capability.
Collaborative approach – works effectively alongside Pouākai, Operations Manager, and Quality Lead.
Deep cultural intelligence and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
Calm, thoughtful, and professional under pressure.
Values-driven and committed to the wellbeing and success of taiohi and kaimahi. 

Performance measures
Increased staff confidence, skills, and engagement.
Evidence of consistent, trauma-informed, culturally grounded practice.
Positive team cohesion, reflective practice, and high morale.
Strong working relationships with Pouākai, Operations Manager, and Quality Lead.
Effective training sessions, positive feedback, and improved practice outcomes.
Programs are regularly reviewed, developed, and enhanced to reflect best practice and deliver positive outcomes for taiohi.

If you think you fit the above and are passionate about making a difference, please send through your CV and a cover letter to fredw@ycd.co.nz