Brendan Dorris
Brooklyn,Wellington
Summary
Senior social work practitioner and supervisor, with extensive experience in frontline statutory social services across Aotearoa, and the UK. Committed to improving outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori through strengths-based, culturally responsive, and systemic approaches. Exceptional written communication skills, court documentation, and operational guidance. Proven ability to translate legislation into workable operational frameworks, and support kaimahi to adopt values-driven practices. Adept at synthesizing diverse sources of information into actionable insights to influence service delivery and practice improvement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Supervising Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
Wellington
01.2025 - Current
- Leads team of intake and assessment social workers.
- Quality assurance of assessments, frontline decision-making, and service engagement.
- Develops guidance and tools to support consistent values-based practice across teams.
- Liaises across services to strengthen multi-agency partnerships and cultural competence.
Intervention Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
10.2022 - 01.2025
- Delivered safeguarding interventions and statutory assessments for tamariki and whānau.
- Court competent—produced high-standard reports and represented Chief Executive in proceedings.
- Led practice workshops to share insights, build resilience, and support service orientation.
Duty & Assessment Social Worker
Westminster City Council
London, UK
03.2021 - 03.2022
- Conducted complex assessments in child protection, youth justice, and early intervention.
- Collaborated with police, courts, and education to reduce risk and improve social outcomes.
- Presented MSc research to locality services, influencing policy engagement with mandated clients.
Youth Offending Case Manager
Westminster City Council
London, UK
09.2018 - 03.2021
- Conducted complex assessments in child protection, youth justice, and early intervention.
- Collaborated with police, courts, and education to reduce risk and improve social outcomes.
- Presented MSc research to locality services, influencing policy engagement with mandated clients.
Principal Dancer & Dance Captain
Riverdance
01.2007 - 01.2017
- Oversaw international production operations, recruitment, and quality assurance.
- Delivered Irish cultural programmes globally including Trinity College Dublin Summer Schools.
Education
Tū Māia Programme – Māori Cultural Capability
Te Wānanga o Raukawa
01.2023
Intermediate Award - Systemic Social Work Practice
The Centre for Systemic Social Work, UK
01.2022
MSc - Advanced Relationship-based Social Work with Children & Families
University of Bedfordshire
PGDip - Social Work with Children & Families
University of Bedfordshire
MA - European Union Politics
Queen’s University Belfast
BSc Joint Honours - Politics & Modern History
Queen’s University Belfast
Skills
- Report writing and court documentation – reviews, and statutory documentationding of information
- Operational policy and legislation translation – Oranga Tamariki Act and safeguarding frameworks
- Analytical thinking and insight generation – synthesizing diverse evidence to shape decisions
- Systemic practice – child, whānau, and agency systems experience in complex environments
- Cultural capability – competent in Māori models of practice, graduate of Tū Māia programme
- Multi-agency collaboration: police, CPP, health, education, and community networks
- Kaimahi supervision, peer and staff development, student accessor, service learning, and team growth
- Service improvement and influence – fellowship think tanks, leadership workshops, and advocacy
Certification
Qualified Irish Dance Instructor (TCRG)
Languages
Fluent Irish Speaker
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Supervising Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
01.2025 - Current
Intervention Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
10.2022 - 01.2025
Duty & Assessment Social Worker
Westminster City Council
03.2021 - 03.2022
Youth Offending Case Manager
Westminster City Council
09.2018 - 03.2021
Principal Dancer & Dance Captain
Riverdance
01.2007 - 01.2017
Tū Māia Programme – Māori Cultural Capability
Te Wānanga o Raukawa
Intermediate Award - Systemic Social Work Practice
The Centre for Systemic Social Work, UK
MSc - Advanced Relationship-based Social Work with Children & Families
University of Bedfordshire
PGDip - Social Work with Children & Families
University of Bedfordshire
MA - European Union Politics
Queen’s University Belfast
BSc Joint Honours - Politics & Modern History
Queen’s University Belfast
Similar Profiles
Tracey CurrieTracey Currie
Team Leader Manager at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For ChildrenTeam Leader Manager at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For Children
LINDSAY CRAWLEYLINDSAY CRAWLEY
Operations Team Leader at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For ChildrenOperations Team Leader at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For Children
Nancye (Tapi) CaldwellNancye (Tapi) Caldwell
Senior Practitioner Social Worker at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For ChildrenSenior Practitioner Social Worker at Oranga Tamariki - Ministry For Children
Roanne SweeneyRoanne Sweeney
Executive Assistant at Egmont Honey LimitedExecutive Assistant at Egmont Honey Limited
Alexander WilsonAlexander Wilson
Senior Environmental Health Officer at Maxumise T/N Optimise Investment (Pte)Senior Environmental Health Officer at Maxumise T/N Optimise Investment (Pte)